Dylan McCabe, a graduating senior at North Point High School in Waldorf, MD, is proud of her Native American heritage. She is Comanche, Fort Sill Apache, and Navajo. To celebrate her roots, she wanted to wear a traditional Navajo dress, leggings, and moccasins to her graduation on June 2. The school approved her request to wear the dress, since it will not be visible under her graduation robes. But since school administrators require flat or low-heeled black shoes, she was told she could not wear the moccasins or leggings.
"My Navajo clothing is a reflection of my religious and cultural identity," Dylan wrote in her Change.org petition. "My grandparents sent me this ceremonial dress and indicated that it was also appropriate for this occasion. My leggings and moccasins are what complete this ceremonial attire. They are essential to one another and sacred to me."
She wore them during her Kinaaldá ceremony, the four-day coming-of-age ceremony she completed when she was 11.
During the Kinaaldá, she explained, "I performed various rites of passage and was considered holy during this time. One of my responsibilities included running at daybreak, noon, dusk. I ran three times a day, farther and farther each time in these moccasins. They spiritually carried me and supported me through this ceremony. They are incredibly important to me and signify that I have the personal endurance and strength to take on any challenge that's given to me."
After Dylan's request was denied, her mom submitted an appeal to the Charles County School District's superintendent and the Board of Education. She also created an online petition, which has since garnered more than 6,000 signatures. Dylan's mom scheduled a meeting with the superintendent to discuss the conflict on May 31.
As of yesterday, Dylan's request had been approved, a FOX 5 DC journalist reported! She will be able to walk at graduation wearing the dress, moccasins, and leggings from her grandparents.
Hannah Orenstein is the author of several novels, including Meant to Be Mine (out June 7, 2022), Head Over Heels, Love at First Like, and Playing with Matches. She's also the Deputy Editor of Dating at Elite Daily. She lives in Brooklyn.