SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (AP) — An Alabama high school graduate doesn't appear in her yearbook after wearing a tuxedo top for her senior portrait, instead of the black drape female students usually wear.
Holley Gerelds tweeted that she was left out of the Springville High yearbook "because I'm a lesbian who wanted to wear a tux instead of a drape."
The 18-year-old paid $25 and posed for her senior class portrait, but the yearbooks delivered last week list her as "not pictured," with her name misspelled.
She said she doesn't want to cause trouble, and just wants people to be educated. She tells WTVM that "life is hard enough, do what makes you happy!"
St. Clair County Schools Superintendent Mike Howard released the following statement Friday afternoon:
"I have received requests to comment on a student issue concerning senior portraits taken at Springville High School. Unfortunately, I am unable to comment on specific student matters. I understand that the senior portraits taken at Springville High School during the last school year were taken in accordance with long-standing school guidelines. We are in the process of reevaluating those guidelines to consider what changes, if any, need to be made.
"I can confirm that the composite photograph of the Springville High School Class of 2019 will include all students that participated in the senior portrait process, regardless of their choice of attire. In addition, we are reprinting a page of Springville High School’s recent yearbook to correct the misspelling of a student’s name and to include all students, regardless of their choice of attire.
"We wish all graduates of Springville High School and all schools throughout St. Clair County nothing but the best in their future endeavors."
