A Boonsboro High School student was not allowed to attend her graduation ceremony Tuesday night because of concerns surrounding her makeup, leaving the 18-year-old and her family “heartbroken” on the big day.
Nixx Cabrera-Guy is an aspiring piercing and tattoo artist and is the first person on her father’s side of the family to receive a high school diploma. She said she was told by Boonsboro High principal Michael Kuhaneck that she would have to remove her makeup or she would not be able to sit with her classmates or go on stage during the ceremony.
“He said, ‘You’re not allowed to walk, you’re not allowed to sit. Either you take it off or you leave,’” recalls Cabrera-Guy.
Cabrera-Guy and her family left the ceremony after she was told she could not participate.
Cabrera-Guy said she is a “very creative” person, known around school for her expressive makeup looks. She said this look was much more toned down than some of her other looks she’s worn to school events, where she paints intricate details on top of white makeup base. At graduation, Cabrera-Guy applied just eyeliner and lipstick over the white foundation.
“It’s part of my identity, it’s part of how the school knew me and how I knew myself and it’s never been an issue before,” Cabrera-Guy said. “I’d rather go on stage as someone who’s genuinely me than someone they’re trying to hide.”
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Cabrera-Guy said Kuhaneck told her her makeup needed “prior approval” to be used at graduation. However, she said she wore similar makeup at school, including dances, spirit weeks, and on typical school days.
Kuhaneck did not respond to a phone call before publication, but in a statement to The Herald-Mail, Washington County Public Schools and Boonsboro High, said Cabrera-Guy was not allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony due to concerns about around the “symbolism of inventing.”
“The student was asked to remove her makeup because the school did not have enough notice to explore the symbolism behind the makeup,” the statement read. “There were concerns about cultural considerations and disruptions to the graduation celebration.”
Cabrera-Guy said she didn’t know she needed advance approval for makeup. An email sent to Boonsboro High graduates stated that students were required to wear an undecorated cap and gown over business casual attire, not jeans or sneakers, and wear shoes they could wear.
The Washington County Public Schools dress code does not include any specific information or guidance regarding makeup, but it does state that both permanent and temporary “body art” that violates administrative regulations or disrupts the “educational environment” must be fully covered. , even in district-sponsored schools and schools. -sanctioned events. The student handbook does not mention approval of makeup or body art.
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‘I’ll never get that moment back’
Cabrera-Guy said she and her family were “heartbroken” that she was unable to walk. Her father and his family, who are from Guatemala, were especially devastated.
“[My dad] I was really trying to see myself go on stage, as well as my entire family from Guatemala and all over the United States,” said Cabrera-Guy. “And the school was aware of it too, but they still took away my chance.”
Cabrera-Guy said she got good grades and was involved in school culture, planning spirit weeks and helping on different committees at Boonsboro High.
“I’ll never get that moment back, which really sucked because the school knew how important it was to me and my family,” Cabrera-Guy said. “The career I’m on doesn’t have another graduation ceremony, so I’ll never again have the chance to walk on stage or celebrate my graduation with a class or with my friends while my family watches.”
This article originally appeared in The Herald-Mail: Maryland Senior Told to Skip High School Graduation Due to Makeup
