By Cora Seelman
Every Friday before school, junior Mary Kelly Chance slips on her gold TOMS, ties her white hair ribbon, and puts on her Eaglette game-day uniform. As of October 18, after numerous complaints about the length of the spirit groups’ skirts, Chance’s outfit now includes leggings.
Three organizations – cheerleaders, Desperados, and Eaglettes – are affected by a new rule that requires game-day uniforms to be in accordance with everyday dress code.
Cheerleaders and Eaglettes wear their uniforms on every game day and Desperados wear theirs on pep rally days.
“Our belief is that a compromise point is possible,” assistant principals Michael Westfall and Sharonda Tims said in a letter to the various spirit groups. “But it requires the work of each organization. We do need each team member to ensure the current uniforms fit the girls as they move around in the class settings while we work toward a solution.”
The compromise includes having Eaglettes wear leggings under their skirts. Desperados wear black skinny jeans instead of skirts. The cheerleaders have continued to wear their skirts as usual.
“Length sizes will need to be factored in before getting new uniforms in the future so that they meet dress code policies,” cheer coach Jeff Bivins said.
Many team members find the new change unfair.
“It’s a privilege you earn by trying out and making the team,” cheerleader Katie Moen said. “If someone is mad they can’t wear a short skirt, they should have tried out.”
Not only students involved in cheerleading, Eaglettes, or Desperados find the changes unnecessary.
“Richardson is a school of traditions,” sophomore Aisleen Menezes, who is not involved in any of the organizations affected by the new change, said. “Or so it says. Asking cheerleaders to not wear their skirts is nontraditional.”
Many Desperados, who only get to wear their uniforms seven days a year, feel that their uniforms are a privilege.
“We have been able to wear the uniforms for years,” Desperado Victoria Byrom said. “Our uniforms show who we are. They are our social status. They show people that we are a part of something. Being a Desperado is hard work and not being able to wear the skirt makes it pointless to wear our uniforms at all. ”
Other students feel that club-membership should not be the free card to let students break dress code.
“It is unfair,” sophomore Veronica Villalobos said. “All rules should be equal without any allowances just because of your status. There are rules given and everyone should follow them.”
