By Anisa Suffren-Crumby
Woodward Academy, founded in 1900, was named Georgia Military Academy and was an all male school. Since then, Woodward has changed some of its rules as it strives to be more diverse and inclusive while still maintaining a uniform look across the student body. These rule changes have ranged from hair length to outerwear. There is a specific Woodward rule that states that, if a student modifies their hair, it must be a natural color. Opinions in the Woodward community vary when it comes to this topic.
On the subjects of dress code and school policy, the Deans happen to be a great resource. When asked about it, Dean Luke Underwood expressed his support for individuality but made it clear that, as a dean, he is here to enforce the rules no matter his opinion.
“I’ve been hired to enforce the rules that have been set in our handbook […],” Underwood said. “So, it doesn’t really matter if I agree with it or not. It’s what I’ve been tasked to do. ”
Although Dr Maria Mays, a science teacher with colored hair, thinks that the rules could be a bit more laxed, she, too, thinks that students should still abide by the rules set in place.
“I think that students should be able to express themselves a little bit more,” Mays said. “However, because that is the rule, I think that students kind of know that they need to follow that.”
Siena Jackson ‘25 believes that hair is a way that students are able to express themselves– especially since the student body dresses in uniform.
“I feel like putting your hair in different styles can help express yourself in more ways than one because first of all, we wear uniforms, so we can’t express ourselves in clothing,” Jackson said.
Similar to Jackson, Mays believes that hair color helps a person express who they are.
“It’s the same as choosing your clothes or choosing what makeup or backpack to carry or something,” Mays said. “It lets you kind of show who you are.”
Dean Underwood explained how he supports individuality but believes that there is a time and place for professionalism.
“I like individualism, I really do…,” Underwood said, “But, I also think that there’s a place for learning to be professional, learning to present yourself in a professional manner… because if I go to the doctor, I go to certain places, you know, there’s an image you’re looking for.”
He believes that certain appearances create different impressions, and, depending on what the job at hand is, this may or not be good.
“When you look a certain way… depending on what you’re being asked to do or tasked with, you may or may not have to overcome that first impression, ” Underwood said.
Jackson thinks that the Woodward policy is pretty reasonable.
“Personally, I don’t find anything wrong with it,” Jackson said. “I think that it keeps the students unified as a group, but also there’s a sense of wanting to express yourself with your hair color. So I say it’s a pretty reasonable rule.”
