Extremely normal shirt gets an honor roll student banned from graduation

Seems like ... an overreaction.
 By 
Chloe Bryan
 on 

A high school senior with a grade point average of 4.4 will not be allowed to walk at her own graduation this year. Why? You guessed it -- her clavicles!

Summer, who attends Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina, was sitting in the school cafeteria last week when the school principal asked her to put a jacket on over her shirt.

The shirt -- one of those convertible off-the-shoulder tops that are ubiquitous this season -- was, per NBC Charlotte, partially exposing her shoulders and back.

Summer told the principal that she thought her shirt was "fine," but she complied with the request nonetheless, quickly borrowing a jacket from a friend.

According to Summer's account, the principal then instructed her to go to the school's control room to change her clothes entirely. Because Summer has a tense relationship with the principal anyway, she refused, and said she'd need to wait to go anywhere with the principal until her mom was contacted. (Summer's mother had already instructed the school to contact her if Summer was being disciplined.)

"I stayed in my seat just like a lot of role models that I have looked up to stayed in their seats," Summer told NBC Charlotte in an interview. "I mean, you have to stand up for what you believe in."

Later, Summer was singled out after a school assembly. A school security guard informed her that, even though the school wasn't able to reach her mother, she could either change her clothes immediately or face arrest.

Seems like ... an overreaction.

Now Summer's been suspended for "insubordination." She's also been barred from all end-of-year events -- including walking at her own graduation.

After all, there's nothing more disruptive than a teenage girl's shoulders, right?

Mashable Image
Chloe Bryan

Chloe was the shopping editor at Mashable. She was also previously a culture reporter. You can follow her on Twitter at @chloebryan.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Epstein Files release: Microsoft permanently banned Jeffrey Epstein from Xbox Live
Xbox logo

Honor launches super-thin Magic V6 foldable phone alongside new laptop and tablet
Honor Magic V6

Honor's Robot Phone hand-on: It's wild, and it's weird
Honor Robot Phone

Honor's humanoid robot shows off impressive dancing skills at MWC
Honor humanoid robot

The confusing U.S. router ban, explained: Which routers are banned?
Several modems and routers equipped with 5G technology are exhibited at Qualcomm's pavilion

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!