Hats are generally worn as a trendy fashion statement or a way to cover the oh-so-dreaded bed-head. However, in Southern Lehigh, wearing a hat is a crime according to the student handbook.

“There were some safety and security concerns surrounding this issue [wearing hats in school]” Southern Lehigh principal Mrs. Christine Siegfried said. “Wearing hats does not harm others and that was never a concern.”

This raises the question: If wearing hats in school does not harm others, then what is the safety concern about hats?

“I personally don’t see any safety concern,” junior Draven Yandersits said. “That to me sounds like another excuse they sure to keep us from wearing hats. Honestly think about it, how is it an unsafe act?”

Many students disagree with the hat rule, and rightfully so. Students should have the right to wear hats freely without a teacher telling them to take it off.

“I understand students’ preference to wanting to wear hats, and I also understand the concerns that there are with hats, so it is somewhat of a balancing act,” Mrs. Siegfried said, adding that aside of some special hat days, there is no plan to do away with this dress code requirement. “I enjoy seeing students’ smiling faces rather than them hiding them under their hats.”

“I respect the rule, and in the hallways, I always tell students to take off the hats,” math teacher Mr. Lou Skrapits said, “but I usually let my students to wear them if they aren’t doing any harm in the classroom.”

If we are allowed to express ourselves, within reason, through what we wear on our bodies, then we should be able express ourselves with what we wear on our heads, as well.