Flash player is required to view weather conditions. Download

site web  

MONROE — A 17-year-old Monroe High School senior will indeed be allowed to wear his U.S. Army uniform in his senior portrait for the school yearbook.

Lisa Mercer, the mother of Paul Michael Mercer, originally was told her son could not be shown wearing his Class A U.S. military uniform in the Monroe Monocle.

Lisa Mercer sent an e-mail to the district's yearbook sponsor and art teacher, Diane Mueller, in October asking if her son could wear a military uniform in his senior photo when she turned it in for the yearbook, said Superintendent Elizabeth Lolli. Mueller did not answer the e-mail until this week, she said.

"In her response to the e-mail, she apologized and said 'I'm sorry that I looked over this and that I'm getting back to you now, but he can't wear his uniform, he has to wear a shirt and tie,' " Lolli said.

Mueller said the yearbook policy is no uniforms in the portrait section, but she would be happy to put him in a candid spot, she said.

"The boy talked to Mueller and told her he was going to have his picture taken like the guidelines required as well as in his uniform, and then he'd bring a copy of both, " Lolli said.

But the student's mother told Mueller it would take her weeks and cost more money to have different photos taken of her son.

In the meantime, school board President Tom Leeds visited Mueller in her classroom Wednesday morning, Nov. 19, and looked at the picture and told her she can use it.

Leeds then called Mercer and told her that her son's photo would run in the yearbook in the senior portrait section with his military uniform.

Lolli said the situation is clearly a misunderstanding because the district's administrative guidelines regarding the yearbook outline specific dress requirements that do not include uniforms.

"In defense of the yearbook adviser, she has not had this situation — the request to wear military uniforms in the yearbook — before," she said.

Lolli said the district supports all men and women serving in the U.S. military.

"We support the choices that our students make. If he has shown character enough to join the United States military, we support that," Lolli said.

"I think it's very, very brave of a young man or young woman to commit their life to keeping my freedom."

Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5219 or dewilson@coxohio.com.