STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

[Look] High School Valedictorian Banned From Ceremony for Most Ridiculous Reason Ever

Andrew Jones deserves better.

What is it with beards this week?
First, Drake shook us up by deciding to shave his beloved facial hair, and now a graduating senior from a Louisiana high school named Andrew Jones has been banned from walking the stage at his graduation because he was wearing a small goatee.

Jones, a valedictorian at Amite High School, had donned his full cap and gown, complete with his valedictorian cord, but was pulled out of the ceremony at the last minute. "Eventually they took my gown," he said. "They told me they had to take my gown from me."

The school district says it has a no facial hair policy on male students. The superintendent said that Jones and his family were reminded of the policy three times, including once on the night of graduation. 

Jones, along with 13 other students, was told that if he did not shave he would be disallowed from joining the ceremony. Jones was the only one who refused, because he said that the rule had never before been enforced.

"It don't make sense, every day of school I went with it, even more, I did shave," Jones said. "I had like sides and everything, but I shaved that for graduation."

In the end, Jones is leaving high school a big winner as he is headed to college with a full academic and athletic scholarship all while raising his young daughter. Unfortunately, the powers-that-be at his school can't see that he's man enough for facial hair.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.