"Mom sues over rejection of yearbook photo" wtf?!?

[Sev]

It could very easily be argued that said sword is merely a prop as part of a historical reenactment he was participating in.

If I were to submit a picture of me and a bunch of friends running around shooting each other with super soakers, or nerf guns (both toys) would you want to see that banned? What about if I have a golf club in my hands (same idea as the sword)? I mean a gold club makes for a pretty substantial weapon should you choose to start swinging it.

With the advent of firearms things such as swords, bows, axes and most other forms of medieval combat have fallen into the basic category of hobby or collectors item, and you can tell pretty easily that sword lacks a live edge. All in all, he's got a toy resting on his shoulder, just like a super soaker is a toy.

Is it worth sueing over no. But is it a weapon, somehow I don't think so.

[CNF2002]

Whether or not the sword is in the photo is beside the point. The photograph is inappropriate for a high school senior yearbook. What's next? A kid who wants to dress up as Hitler? Or "Scream" murder guy?

Maybe a few of the students can wear clown costumes or pick their noses for the photo.

Give me a break, these are high school seniors and this kid is acting like he's in elementary school. Grow up and take an appropriate photo for your yearbook. He'll be better of facing reality sooner than later, you can't go through life doing whatever you want, especially when you're involved in a large group project.

If EVERYONE was wearing silly costumes, that's one thing...but this kid is just a spoiled brat for thinking he's above everyone else and can do what he pleases. And I blame the mother for supporting him.

If he's too 'cool' to wear appropriate clothing, he can wear a regular shirt.

PS: There are usually other sections in the yearbooks that these photos are more appropriate. There is probably a whole page for this school club he was in, which could easily feature a picture of their reenactment.

[Sev]

Whether or not the sword is in the photo is beside the point. The photograph is inappropriate for a high school senior yearbook. What's next? A kid who wants to dress up as Hitler? Or "Scream" murder guy?

Maybe a few of the students can wear clown costumes or pick their noses for the photo.

Give me a break, these are high school seniors and this kid is acting like he's in elementary school. Grow up and take an appropriate photo for your yearbook. He'll be better of facing reality sooner than later, you can't go through life doing whatever you want, especially when you're involved in a large group project.

If EVERYONE was wearing silly costumes, that's one thing...but this kid is just a spoiled brat for thinking he's above everyone else and can do what he pleases. And I blame the mother for supporting him.

If he's too 'cool' to wear appropriate clothing, he can wear a regular shirt.

PS: There are usually other sections in the yearbooks that these photos are more appropriate. There is probably a whole page for this school club he was in, which could easily feature a picture of their reenactment.

You'll note it's an international society of members who do this. Not a couple of kids who dress up in their free time. And it's obviously an important part of his life, otherwise he wouldn't have submitted that photo.

Now I'm not completely sure how his yearbook works, but here you have a photo taken at the school, and that's the one that is used for your bio. then you get to submit a bunch of other pictures that can be used elsewhere in the book. And now he's being told he cannot do that because his picture is deemed inappropriate.

In fact, I've gone through stuff like this. We had a ton of pictures that were given back to us for reasons such as "the cups are not clear," (there could be booze inside) even though we weren't drinking that night. Or, "you're wearing too much black and look like a goth." Obviously we didn't sue over it... but flipping through the year book there are pictures that break the rules that were set out for me and my friends.

Hell, I'd be furious if I was told that I couldn't submit a picture of me in my motorcycle gear because it gives the wrong idea. I may be wrong, but I believe there is still a law about freedom of expression in America, and it seems to me that picture isn't something that should be causing a problem, especially if the school mascot runs around armed.

[CNF2002]

If that's the case, Sev, I suppose the kid does have a point, especially since they are willing to put the photo into 'paid advertisements' in the back.

But this:

he would not allow it as Agin's senior portrait.

reads to me like he's trying to submit it as his formal photo. In my HS we had an option of sending in a portrait or having one done at a professional photographer (there was one that contracted with the school and gave big discounts).


PS: Since when do yearbooks have paid advertisements in them?? When I bought my yearbook is was expensive and the purchase covered the production costs (not to mention it was all put together by students for a class anyway).

[Sev]

I've only got my personal experience to work from in regards to how photos are chosen. And I'll bet big money it's different in the districts I've grown up in. But every yearbook I've looked through around here has all the photos done by the professional photographer brought in by the school. Then other pics are submitted to fill up the "lifestyle" part of the book. Some exceptions were made but it was always kids who were sick and missed the day(s) or stuff like that. Actually my school required that you be wearing the school colors robe and a shirt/tie if you were a guy for your actual yearbook photo.

[logitech104]

PS: Since when do yearbooks have paid advertisements in them?? When I bought my yearbook is was expensive and the purchase covered the production costs (not to mention it was all put together by students for a class anyway).

Mostly all old yearbooks (from schools with low income) have advertisment in the back. Since students back then probably couldn't purchase expensive yearbooks, so the schools lowered the costs of the books and then put paid advertisements in the back to cover the rest of their costs.

[Shorts]

Actually, the advertisements in the back of our yearbook was an extension of the ad space they bought for sporting events and tournaments. As an athlete, one of our 'projects' was to sell adspace once a year.

[camthepyro]

Huh, now they have students pay extra to have personal "advertisment" type of page in the back. Half the yearbook is taken up by these. Usually parents submitting them for their kids on their senior year.

[QuietMonkey]

Huh, now they have students pay extra to have personal "advertisment" type of page in the back. Half the yearbook is taken up by these. Usually parents submitting them for their kids on their senior year.

THAT'S HILARIOUS!

[Seetrout]

If it's like here I'm behind her.

My daughter had to travel to an outside photographer and pay for her senior portrait. So what if she got an affiliation discount. If the student (parent) is paying and off site then they have control over the content.

Here, and i'll bet there, the students are on their own to have their photo's taken and encouraged to show their "hobby, uniqueness, whatever".
The kids cars, kites and cakes are all OK, but the school board gets upset when a sword, gun, swastica or boy wearing a dress shows up as freedom of expression.

If you want to control what's in the photo then the school should have the photographer come to the school and do the photo's on school grounds. That way there's no question about any weapon's policies, or background settings. Because, if the student (parent) is paying and off site then they have control over the content.

This also happened no too long ago in Mass.? Where the kid was a national champion trap shooter and had his trap gun in the photo. School said no. Mom and Pop sued. NRA helped support the lawsuit. Don't know who won. They were right, school was wrong, see last paragraph.