TROUTDALE, Ore. — Walking across the stage is especially important to high schoolers from the class of 2024 who spent their core years dealing with a global pandemic.
Angel Lopez Lane just graduated from Reynolds High School this Thursday. He had decided to enlist in the Marines and was excited to wear his stole for the ceremony.
But his joy was cut short just minutes before his walk when Reynolds staff told him that it wasn't allowed.
"It was just 'Hey, you can't do that. We need you to put this stole in the bag with your student ID and your initials.' I thought it was weird," he said.
Angel immediately texted his mom, who was fuming at the school's decision.
"This is not OK," said Amber Lane. "There are several kids in your class who have signed up to give their lives to the military. The families and the kids deserve to be able to be honored, appreciated, plus show what they've done."
Reynolds School District responded, in part:
"Reynolds High School doesn't allow any post-high school stoles, including military and college stoles at graduation. We do allow students to have cultural stoles at graduation. Students have the opportunity to wear their post-high school representative stoles, whether military or college, at other senior events at the end of the school year."
Lane and her son said they hope these rules will change for future graduates, especially since they believe the district has not provided any reasoning behind the ban.
"I just wish that they would be grateful and appreciative, feel somewhat accomplished that their students want to go and serve the country," Amber said.
Portland Public Schools and the Beaverton School District told KGW that they do not have similar policies.