[b][blue]I WAS AT THE FOLLOWING GRADUATION CEREMONY IN PERSON IN MY HOMETOWN:[/blue][/b]



[url]http://www.hoosiertimes.com/stories/2002/05/28/TM.new.42403.sto[/url]

[b]"Graduation Debate Continues To Echo"

By DOUG JAGGERS
and HEATHER R. SMITH,
Times-Mail Staff Writers


A Bedford North Lawrence High School senior’s decision to defy administrators and wear his Navy dress white uniform and cap to accept his diploma has sent ripples across Bedford and the nation.

In April the North Lawrence School Board and BNL principal Gary Conner denied Evan Burns’ request to wear his uniform instead of the traditional cap and gown. But Burns, a December graduate who had completed basic training and returned to participate in commencement, removed the cap and gown just before stepping forward to be recognized during the ceremony.

The display irked board members and administrators, who [red]refused to give Burns his diploma[/red] immediately following the ceremony. The situation stands unresolved today. Conner said this morning he would meet with NL Superintendent Jim Terrell to discuss the matter. A resolution, which could include not giving Burns his diploma, is expected Wednesday.

Conner insisted that the school was only trying to make sure every student was equally recognized during the ceremony.

“This has nothing to do with being unpatriotic, in fact it’s the opposite,” Conner said. “This is about keeping the focus on all of the students.”

Melanie Zumhingst, Burns’ mother, said her son did not wear the uniform to steal the spotlight. She said she had relatives and friends in the ceremony and was equally as proud of them.

“To say that Evan took away from their recognition is absurd,” Zumhingst said. “The only difference between Evan and the others was that he had to salute during the national anthem.”

After the ceremony, school officials said Burns may have violated military regulations by wearing his Navy cover, or cap, indoors. School Board President Logan Lee said he felt Burns had “disgraced his country and classmates” by wearing the complete uniform indoors. However, Duke Law, chief of the Navy recruiting station in Bedford, said Burns did not violate the Navy’s dress code.

“We wear our covers inside for change of command and other special ceremonies,” Law said.

Zumhingst said she is upset with the reaction of North Lawrence officials.

“I am demanding an apology, and I am demanding my son’s diploma,” Zumhingst said. “To have said the things they said is abominable.”

The stand-off between the school and the Seaman Apprentice, who has returned to duty in Chicago, has sparked conversation. Interest has been so strong local radio show “Talk of the Town,” on WBIW 1340 AM has devoted the past two days to the topic.[/b]

CONTINUED...

[b]Zumhingst said people from across the nation have called or e-mailed to express their support for Burns’ decision.

“My phone rang off the hook all weekend with people calling in support of Evan,” Zumhingst said.

The calls, from as far away as Topeka, Kan., and Sarasota, Fla., became so frequent, Zumhingst said, the family had to leave their home.

“We spent the weekend at Spring Mill State Park,” Zumhingst said.

Classmates of Evan Burns are mixed as to whether the sailor should have worn his uniform at Friday’s graduation.

Amanda Jenkins has been in school with Burns since elementary school and Friday was sitting about seven rows behind him. Jenkins said she supports Burns’ action.

“All of us have the same general feeling that they should have allowed him to wear it, and it’s all a big hassle over nothing,” Jenkins said. “I kind of think he earned the right to wear his uniform. I don’t see anything wrong with it at all. It’s just showing pride in their country.”

Fellow graduate Tatjana Moore said she and others around her suspected Burns would do something.

“I was far away but we could see him as soon as he walked past,” she said. “All of a sudden you see all white pop out of the seat.”

Moore said Burns should have done what school officials said.

“How hard is it to just go ahead and follow the rules?” she asked. “It’s just that one time to dress up and follow what they say. I think he just did it to make a statement.”

Tam Dang agrees with Moore. She was sitting just three rows behind Burns.

“I saw him unzip it and he started walking up there, and I was like, ‘Whoa’ and the guy sitting next to me (Eric Gootee) was like, ‘He actually wore it,’” Dang recalled.

“I think he shouldn’t have done it because (the school board) had already said he wasn’t supposed to, and he went against the (school’s) order, and he went against that tradition of the robe,” she said. “He should be proud of his country, but I don’t think he should have (worn his uniform) because they’ve been doing it that way for years, and he should have just stuck with tradition.”

Dang said school officials should “just let it go” and not punish Burns.

Cory Lyons said Burns “deserves whatever punishment he gets.”

“He should have done what he was told to,” Lyons said. “There’s a fine line between showing honor and showing off.” [/b]

awww man! what a bad coincidence! poor tat!