May 25, 2021 in Regional

HIGH SCHOOL ALTERED GIRLS’ YEARBOOK PHOTOS IT DEEMED IMMODEST

A high school offered refunds after parents discovered the school had digitally altered dozens of female student photos to make them appear more modest.

Bartram Trail High School in Florida faced outrage when it came to light that the yearbook coordinator had edited approximately 80 student photos without their knowledge or permission.

Students say the changes were unnecessary or unfair.

“The double standard in the yearbook is more so they looked at our body and thought just a little bit of skin showing is sexual,” said freshman Riley O’Keefe. “They looked at the boys, for the swim team photos and other sports photos and thought that was fine, and that’s really upsetting and uncomfortable.”

The school claimed that it has previously excluded student pictures that it deemed in violation of the student code of conduct, and it relied on digital manipulation “to make sure all students were included in the yearbook.”

“I think it sends the message that our girls should be ashamed of their growing bodies, and I think that’s a horrible message to send out to these young girls that are going through these changes,” said Adrian Bartlett, a mother of a student at the school.

Another parent said her daughter wore her outfit to school numerous times without receiving a violation. Some parents have accused the school of enforcing a more strict policy for girls than boys, but closest to a possibly problematic photo was of the boy’s swim team.

The school’s website states: “All images in ads and all individual student pictures must be consistent with the St. Johns County School District Student Code of Conduct or may be digitally adjusted.”

The school will issue a refund, but parents must turn in the yearbook to receive one.

Comparing two students original pictures on the left to the ones put in the yearbook on the right, editing can be seen. 



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