FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) – Outrage is brewing on social media after a Farmington High School graduate was told to remove her cap adorned with Native American beading and a feather. Video surfaced online showing a school staffer telling the teen to take off her cap, remove the tassel, and put on a plain cap. It happened at the school’s commencement ceremony on Monday.
The graduate’s mother told KRQE News 13 that they knew about the rule but believed she had a right to wear regalia that represented their culture. “I just don’t understand why they chose my daughter to discriminate against. It made it rightfully so because she was Native American because she had beadwork that was cultural,” said Brenda White Bull.
The Farmington Municipal School sent a statement on Thursday:
We would like to address some of the community concerns we have received regarding the graduation ceremony on Monday night at Farmington High School. During the event, a student’s beaded cap was exchanged for a plain one. The feather was returned intact to the family during the ceremony. The beaded cap was returned after graduation concluded.
District protocol states that the cap and gown must be worn, and their appearance may not be altered, which can be found in the 2023-2024 Student and Parent Handbook. Students were informed throughout the school year and immediately before graduation of the protocol, including that beaded caps were not allowed. This standard process helps us set student attire during graduations. However, students are welcome to wear clothes of their choice, including traditional attire, under the graduation cap and gown, and regalia, stoles, and feathers in their tassels.
While the staff involved were following district guidelines, we acknowledge this could have been handled differently and better. Moving forward, we will work to refine our processes at the school level. The district is also committed to exploring the addition of a district policy that allows for additional appropriate cultural elements in student attire, including graduation caps and gowns.
We are proud of all of our graduates and deeply value their different cultural backgrounds which enhance the educational experience for all of our students. Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to work to honor both culture and individual expression in all our schools.
Roberto Taboada, Public Information Officer, Farmington Municipal Schools
