A Louisiana highschool pupil was penalized for dancing at a celebration off-campus grounds. Following backlash, the principal apologized for his response.
Kaylee Timonet, a 17-year-old senior at Walker Excessive Faculty within the southeast Louisiana metropolis of Walker, confronted disciplinary motion after a video posted by a DJ on social media confirmed her dancing at a homecoming after-party behind somebody who was twerking, The Advocate reported.
In line with the report, Principal Jason St. Pierre slammed the video, eliminated Timonet from her pupil authorities president place, mentioned she wouldn’t be thought-about for Scholar of the 12 months, and rescinded his assist recommending her for school scholarships.
“They mentioned they didn’t need her representing Walker Excessive Faculty. She was completely shocked,” the coed’s mom, Rachel Timonet, advised the Advocate. “He advised her she wasn’t dwelling within the Lord’s manner and questioned who her mates have been and in the event that they adopted the Lord. She mentioned she didn’t know tips on how to reply that, they usually mentioned it was a yes-or-no query. In the meantime, she’s sobbing.”
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Rachel mentioned her daughter, who has been dancing since she was 2 years outdated, is skilled in hip-hop, has been employed to bounce for Disney, and has even danced in that fashion throughout college performances.
Pierre’s choice left Rachel outraged, and the neighborhood likened the scenario to the 1984 film “Footloose.” Throughout their assembly, Rachel mentioned Pierre printed out Bible verses for her daughter, the Advocate reported, and on social media, folks identified that Walker Excessive Faculty is a public establishment.
“I’m a Christian, “one person wrote in a neighborhood Fb group, per the outlet. “I like that the majority lecturers use our beliefs as a reference for the youngsters to undergo life. However if you use it to bully and dictate kids, it’s flawed.”
In an announcement to the neighborhood posted on the highschool’s official web site earlier this month, Pierre acknowledged his actions and mentioned he deliberate to talk with the household. He wrote that he would reinstate Timonet to her pupil authorities function and proceed to endorse the coed for her scholarship.
“Lastly, throughout my dialog with Kaylee concerning the dance celebration, the topic of spiritual beliefs was broached by Kaylee and myself,” the assertion mentioned. “Whereas that dialog was meant with the very best intentions, I do perceive it’s not my duty to find out what college students’ or others’ spiritual beliefs could also be – that ought to be the duty of the person.”
It continued: “As principal of Walker Excessive Faculty, I’m confronted day by day with many troublesome selections for the curiosity of our college students and staff which might be by no means taken calmly. Please know that I all the time attempt to put our college students first in each choice. It’s for that cause that I’ve taken this corrective motion.”
Nevertheless, Rachel mentioned his assertion and alter of coronary heart got here too late and that her daughter’s scholarship deadline had already handed, as WAFB reported. The mom has reached out to attorneys in regards to the scenario.
In line with the report, Pierre requested to take go away for the rest of the tutorial college yr. Some mother and father and helps have worn shorts, saying, “Let the lady dance,” and have prompted different college students to show in twerking movies.
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