Shaler Area makes decision regarding graduation gowns

During the Nov. 10 Shaler Area School Board meeting, superintendent Dr. Sean Aiken announced that a committee, newly formed to discuss the subject of graduation gowns and the current tradition of having boys wear blue and girls wear white, had come up with three possible options to move the district forward, taking into consideration the LGBTQ+ community.

The tradition at graduation has been that boys wear blue and girls wear white.

The committee that met on Oct. 28 included current students, alumni, parents, a school board member, Shaler Area staff and administrators and a community professional with experience in serving the LGBTQ+ community.

Option 1 would be to make an immediate change, allowing the Class of 2022 to design new gowns for spring 2022 graduation and beyond.

Option 2 would be to continue with the two gown options, allowing anyone to pick the color they prefer with no reference to gender.

Option 3 is to continue with the two gown options for this year, again allowing anyone to pick any color they like regardless of gender, then working with the junior class to come up with a design for graduation classes moving forward.

Members of the board discussed the options, taking comments from the public and students, including student representative Avery Gallant.

Aiken made it clear that this was not a board decision, the district administration was recommending Option 3, and that it was the option the district was adopting.

“I’m just glad that an administrative decision has been made,” said board member Tim Gapsky.

Gapsky pronounced his preference during the meeting, one gown color for all students, but hopes now that a decision that been made the board can spend more time “focusing on education and finance.”

Board member Suzanna Donahue also hoped for a single gown color for all graduates.

“The decision last night was disappointing; however, I believe it is a step in the right direction,” said Donahue. “I had hoped a uniform cap and gown for all students would have been implemented this year with the class of 2022.”

During the meeting, Aiken said that the move to be more inclusive will not stop with the caps and gowns.

“This work is going to continue,” said Aiken.

When asked for additional comment, Aiken said that the committee met to not only discuss the subject of gowns but also “how we can improve the environment.”

“What is more important is that we continue to involve people in the process of further exploring ways to create a more inclusive environment within the school district,” Aiken said via email.