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The Final Decision: Graduation Gowns
Cam High alumni Brandon Fujii, Joyce Seok, Joseph Cachin, Shing Ou, and Ohtli Garcia pose with their diplomas after the Class of 2017’s graduation.
Cam High’s graduation gown color, Navy blue, was announced on Nov. 14 to the student body.
On Nov. 8, students had the option of voting for either navy blue or Columbia blue (Cam High’s traditional colors) during their homeroom classes. The following week, Ms. Lori Pristera, ASB director, announced during a House of Representatives meeting the winning color: Navy blue.
“I’m excited that the final color is the one I voted for,” said Adrian Valdes, junior.
While having to choose one color upset many students, being able to choose it and the final result pleased many.
“My math teacher, Mr. Groves, told my class that the [gown] color will be Navy blue,” said Audrey Creel, senior. “I voted for Navy blue and I’m glad that it is the final decision because I like the color more than the Columbia blue. I also like that we only have one color because it’s easier and allows everyone to feel accepted.”
Chandon Clay, junior, said, “Having one color is not traditional, but I’m excited that the color is Navy blue.”
Many students and former Cam High Graduates are frustrated and disappointed about the final color being Navy blue.
“I heard the final gown color decision from Mr. Dowden,” said Jenna Flynn, junior. “I voted for Columbia blue and I feel like my opinion doesn’t matter to the school. There should be two colors and if there’s a third party that doesn’t identify as a boy or a girl, then they could have a third color, instead of having everybody wear one color.”
“Mail me my diploma,” said Adam Ruiz, senior, in protest to the new policy.
Other students had an indifferent response to the unified gown color.
“I voted for Colombia blue, but I don’t really care that much,” said Luke Whitney, sophomore.
In response to controversial reactions from students, Dr. Penelope DeLeon, Superintendent of Oxnard Union High School District, said, “We have a number of students in this district that do not follow traditional gender norms. Therefore, we felt it was very important that we stand up for them and [treat] them as important students [through offering] one single, unifying color at each school.”
The reason for the change in the gown color tradition has been finalized by Dr. DeLeon. Though, the student body at Cam High seems to be divided over the issue.
The idea behind the single gown color is to make everyone feel comfortable walking in, and out, of graduation. However, the controversy of whether or not the majority should have to change for the minority still lingers throughout Cam High.
Megan Norris • Jan 10, 2018 at 9:24 pm
I graduated last year and I know this won’t affect me at all but there was such an easier solution to this problem. Just let each student pick which color they prefer to wear rather than assigning them. Would that not make everyone happy? I would have hated having to wear the navy blue.
New Traditions • Jan 10, 2018 at 5:53 pm
Since the superintendent is getting rid of Cam’s old tradition, I think there should be a new one then. Students should be allowed to decorate their caps in exchange for this new gown decision. Other schools do it, just like other schools only have one gown color. That way, everyone is at least allowed to show some creative or representative aspect of themselves and it gives the family members an easier way to spot their child. A sea of the same colored gown is gonna look boring and personally, ugly. At least this way, maybe some of the students who would’ve preferred the Columbia blue can feel comfortable and have their voices and personalities heard in some way; afterall, that’s what this whole new rule is about, isn’t it?