We, representing the Happy Valley graduating class of 2009, contest the "No decorated caps" rule. We believe this sudden rule (five days before the ceremony) is unfair and unjust due to our First Amendment rights. Our First Amendment clearly states, as American citizens, we are given freedom of expression. The decoration of the graduation caps is the seniors' way of expressing themselves and their experiences throughout high school. Telling the students they can not decorate their caps is in violation of this right. Forty years ago the US Supreme Court declared students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate" (Tinker v. Des Moines School District; 1969). We believe that the Carter County School Board is violating the very rights they teach the students about. This is also unfair considering Happy Valley is the only school in the county with this restriction. Hampton, Unaka, and Cloudland are exempt from this rule.

We ask the Carter County School Board to reconsider their rule on the caps as it is in violation of our First Amendment rights and is an inconvience for those who have already decorated their caps.