‘I’m proud of who I am’: Student says she was denied wearing cultural regalia at graduation

LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) – A high schooler in Las Vegas said that some seniors were initially denied wearing cultural regalia at graduation, but the district has now approved them.

The ACLU of Nevada said the Clark County School District would be breaking the law by blocking students from wearing traditional regalia with their cap and gown.

Eldorado High School senior Jocelynne Zepeda said the school initially denied her request to wear a custom-made regalia for her graduation, with the Guatemalan flag representing her mother and the Mexican flag representing her late father.

“Mexico is to represent my dad who passed away this past year, and he wasn’t able to make it, and I want to show him, and I want him to be proud. I’m proud of who I am because that’s who he is,” Zepeda said.

Her mother Katie Frano said she submitted photos of her daughter’s regalia for approval on April 2, per the school’s instructions.

“And I never got a response until May 6,” Frano said. “And in the email, the administration for Eldorado just said that we ask that they only wear things received by [the school] during the ceremony.”

Franco got in touch with the ACLU of Nevada, which demanded the Clark County School District rescind their graduation dress code. The ACLU cited a Nevada state bill – AB73 – that was passed just last year, which allows students to wear cultural and religious items at graduation.

“Students are being told that they can’t wear stoles representing their national origin, and that is a total insult and violation of AB73,” said Athar Haseebullah, Executive Director of ACLU of Nevada.

He continued, “It’s incumbent on the district’s leadership to advise these schools about what they are permitted and not permitted to do, and what they’re not permitted to do is block a student who’s wearing a stole that represents their heritage, their culture, their traditional norms that have been already permitted by law by AB73.”

The district reversed their stance and will allow students to wear their cultural regalia at graduation.

In a statement to KVVU, the school district said:

“As of April 19, 2024, the Clark County School District rescinded the Graduation Participation Agreement. Students are permitted to wear traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment to their cap and gown in accordance with AB73. CCSD encourages all students and families to be mindful of the occasion and respectful of their fellow graduates so that everyone can enjoy the ceremony equally.”