Heath West

Heath West

I’m super proud to have been with you guys on the Treasure Coast airwaves for the last twenty five years! I was born, raised, and now live and work...Full Bio

 

Jacksonville School Alters Photos Of Girls To Appear More "Modest"

Some students who just received their yearbook at a Florida high school were not too happy with their image inside. But this wasn’t just a case of a bad hair day or not liking the angle of their photo. It turns out, Bartram Trail High School edited the photos of dozens of students - all females. And the reason for the digital altering? To make the girls appear more modest.

Parents and students complained about the editing, which was done without their knowledge, and the students say it was unnecessary and unfair. The photos were edited to cover parts of the students’ chest and shoulders, and students like freshman Riley O’Keefe were shocked to find their yearbook photos had been changed. “There’s a black box over my chest and the cardigan on the side is like moved over and it looks really awkward and I was very confused,” she says.

The St. Johns County School District says the changes were made to photos that were considered in violation of the dress code. They explain that the school’s previous procedure was to leave pictures out of the yearbook that they considered in violation of the student code of conduct, so these digital alterations were “a solution to make sure all students were included in the yearbook.” There’s even a disclaimer on the school’s website that warns students their photos could be altered if they violate dress code policy. And now the school is offering a refund of the $100 yearbook cost to anyone taking issue with the edits, as long as they return the yearbook.

Photo: Getty Images


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