By Mari Kinney, 16, Los Angeles HS

“Upon my return to Los Angeles High School over the summer, there were new students and new faces to be seen but above all a new dress code. There were no more unhemmed pants, untucked shirts, pants with cut seams, or shorts below the knee. I could not believe it. I got a citation for wearing jeans with a one-inch cut in the inside seam. It was the most ridiculous thing I ever heard of.
It was time to talk to the man in charge, Dean Randall Klarin. He was not on my A list, and I told him so. I didn’t see what unhemmed pants had to do with cutting down the gang problem. Didn’t students have a constitutional right to freedom of expression—including our clothing?
He answered, “I am glad to hear students are concerned from the constitutional point of view, but we have to make a decision on what is primary. Yes, we all have certain rights and freedom of expression is certainly one of them, but the schools are empowered as locus parenti, meaning we are the parents when the child is at school, and as parents we are here to see for their well being.”
But how will the dress code solve the gang problem?
“I don’t think we can solve the gang problem with something like this but we can address it, reduce it, and cut it to a minimum. Clothes don’t make a gangster, but there is an attitude that is involved in a gangster’s life style.”

Dress for success
Dean Klarin added, “The students of L.A. High School need to dress more properly because high school is training for life. It is true that not everything in the dress code has to do with things that are gang-related but it has to do with good grooming and appropriate dress. Overall, the main hope is that the students will feel better about themselves and be more committed to school work and responsibilities as a student.”
I was surprised to see that he took me seriously and answered all my questions. He made me feel better about the dress code, but I found out why some students disagreed.
“I think it sucks because they should be more concerned about us coming to school and doing work than worried about what we wear,” said junior Cecilia Cueva,16.
“The dress code doesn’t let us be ourselves,” said junior Salvador Canela.
“We shouldn’t be judged on what we wear because that is being prejudiced towards the way we dress. Tucking in your shirt is dumb. Why should we be told what to wear? When they buy our clothes, then they can tell us what to wear,” said junior Nischa Martin,16.
“I say we shouldn’t have to tuck in our shirts because that doesn’t make any sense. We were told to tuck in our shirts so we won’t be concealing any weapons, but we can have our shirts tucked in and still be carrying a weapon,” said junior Stephen Boakwye.
I only found one student who agreed with the dress code. Senior Wendy Bonilla said, “I think the dress code is a good idea because kids come to school like it’s a fashion show, instead of coming to learn, so I’m pro for the dress code.”
I talked to two teachers who thought the dress code was okay.
English teacher Ms. Robin Neuwirth: “Well I think it’s a good idea because it makes the school feel different, it gives the school a more formal feeling. I think there’s a hidden message underneath it about looking good and not being a slob.”
ESL Teacher Mr. Seigle: “I think it could be part of a bigger effort to remove signs of gangs, but clothes aren’t the only signs of gangs. There is a lot of graffiti all over the place which makes it look like gangs run this place. I would like to see the graffiti cleaned up.”

The school is more business-like
After doing all these interviews I have come to this conclusion: The dress code needs improving but overall it’s a good idea. I agree with the students who feel that some of the rules in the dress code are a bit much. Is it really necessary to tuck in your shirt and wear shorts above the knee? I’m sure the teachers feel some of their time is being wasted on telling a student every five minutes to tuck in his or her shirt.
On the other hand, I have to admit the school does appear more business like and does improve the appearance of the school as a whole. So to the students of L.A. High: be glad we aren’t wearing uniforms.”