A Seminole High graduation speech hangs on a fauxhawk

By Anne Lindberg, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Jacob Settle worries his new hairstyle could prevent him from presenting the valedictory address at Seminole High School.
	[JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times]

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ADVERTISEMENT [JOHN PENDYGRAFT | Times] The principal suggests a graduation cap cover the honor student’s fauxhawk.

SEMINOLE — Jacob Settle is the kind of student who would make any school proud.

He's a National Merit Scholarship finalist, runs track, plays soccer, has an after-school job and a 4.8 grade point average.

A couple of weeks ago, he decided to trade in his past-the-shoulders hair for a Mohawk-style cut known as a fauxhawk.

Now, he's worried his new hairstyle could prevent him from presenting the valedictory address at the Seminole High School graduation in June.

School administrators are "basically telling me it's against societal norms," Jacob said. "Something about, we have a conservative population, and I was representing the school. I was pretty baffled. (Do) I have to sacrifice my individuality to represent the school?"

Seminole principal Walter Weller says Jacob has overreacted.

He said he teased Jacob about wearing a graduation cap over his hair, and that Jacob took the remark out of context.

Weller said commencement speakers have not been chosen, and Seminole has no tradition of automatically allowing the valedictorian to address the assembly.

Asked if Jacob's hair would be a factor in whether he would speak, Weller waffled.

"The hair's not the issue," Weller said. "If it comes down to it, I can't say a kid's hairstyle would preclude him or prevent him from speaking. That would be inappropriate. But it would be an influence. I would have to ask him, 'What is your agenda?' "

If the answer was satisfactory, Weller said, Jacob could make the speech, provided he could wear the cap.

Jacob said he had no agenda in growing his fauxhawk.

"I was ready to try something new, so I thought, 'Oh, why not?' " said Jacob, an honor student who has been accepted to four universities and offered scholarships at two.

Since then, he's decided to use the hairstyle as a prop to talk about stereotypes during his speech.

Weller thinks Jacob's focus is wrong.

Commencement is a serious occasion, he said, and deserves to be treated with dignity.

That's especially true this year when the school plans to honor some special students, including Keith Brown, who graduated early, joined the military and is being sent overseas.

"Here's my concern," Weller said. "He's serving his country. He's not worried about his hair."

In the past, Weller said, students have been pulled out of line before they walked across the stage because of their attire. If a student's hair proved distracting, Weller said, he would keep the graduate from walking.

Jacob said he's not trying to be disruptive.

"I really do like the administration," he said. "I just disagree with them on this issue."

If it comes down to giving a speech or getting a haircut, Jacob said it would be an easy choice.

"I'll cut it off," he said. "I'd like to make a speech."