Graduates wear ribbons to honor late classmate

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » Some members of the Ridley High School Class of 2017 sported orange ribbons to honor the memory of late classmate Kayla Barnes as they marched onto the school’s Phil Marion Field to receive their diplomas. Barnes, who died from leukemia while she was in the eighth grade, was the best friend and classmate of Angel Hall. It was Hall’s idea to wear the orange ribbons. But a report Monday night on WTXF FOX 29 claimed Hall was told that the orange ribbons would violate the school’s graduation dress code. Social media was unleashed. A Facebook post on the issue by a relative of Hall resulted in a flurry of responses, mostly painting the school district as uncaring, prompting district superintendent Lee Ann Wentzel to comment that the matter was a “no-win situation for us.” She said a protest at the graduation would be disrespectful to the others in the Class of 2017. But in the end the district decided not to condone the wearing of orange ribbons nor discipline any who wore the symbol.

During a class message to the seniors Tuesday, Ridley High School Principal Dr. Kenneth Acker acknowledged the orange ribbon controversy, saying that the staff and faculty of the high school would never want anyone to be forgotten.

“The hours since yesterday have made many of us in this room stop and think about those people. We would never want to denigrate their legacy,” Acker said.

The principal went student on to say that a new tradition will be started at graduation with each graduate being offered a green and white ribbon, the school’s colors, to wear on their gowns to signify the memory of all their loved ones who were instrumental in their success to the point of their graduation.

“We will mention these green and white ribbons at the graduation ceremony today (Tuesday) so all who are present know the significance and can honor your loved one along with you,” Acker told the seniors.

During his address at the graduation, Acker asked for everyone to focus their attention on the empty chair placed on the field.

“This chair will occupy a place of honor and be forever recognized as the seat of those students who could not be present with us today ...,” Acker said. “It is a way for everyone, in their own special way, to acknowledge the memory of someone who couldn’t be here today.”