Amarillo High Graduate Denied To Wear Academic Pins At Ceremony

Academic pins may not be the biggest part of graduation, but they're something many graduates work hard to have the honor of wearing.  So when Jacob Stephens of Amarillo High School was told his academic pins weren't on the AISD approved list of pins that can be worn at graduation ceremony, things got heated.

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"They're just pins, but they are something I worked hard for, and not just me there's a lot of students who did too," Stephens said."

Of the pins Stephens acquired, on is for passing a national exam, allowing him to work as a clinical medical assistant. His second pin signifies his membership in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).

When Jacob's dad was given the news, he started making some calls.

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"I called AISD, Amarillo High School and I even called Region 16," Todd said. "I finally heard back from Jacob's principal, but he stood his ground and said 'the pins wouldn't be allowed.'"

AISD responded to Pronews 7 with this statement: "Graduation is an excellent opportunity to recognize high school seniors who have earned special academic honors in national, state, or district programs. AISD has an approved list of these honor designations for graduation ceremonies."