by Giselle Galarza

Club sweaters should be worn in school to represent pride in and support of our school’s sports and clubs. However, administrators are preventing students from doing so.

Gay Straight Alliance adviser Hans Winberg began distributing sweaters in 2010 for $35 that represent equality for the club, with a design of students shaded in different colors. Many students began purchasing them; although when seen by staff or administrators, students were told the sweaters aren’t school uniform, which is unfair.

A uniform is worn to indicate that you partake in an organization or community, and the GSA sweaters have “UACHS” printed on them. Therefore, it is clear that they are still a representation of the school.

According to sophomore Juana Turner, the advertisement of the club sweaters is “not right”; however, she shares positive feedback on the sweaters in general.

“They advertise them, but you can’t wear them in school? It’s not right. It’s really comfortable and is worth wearing outside because it represents gay rights,” Turner said.

According to Winberg, he originally had the sweaters made to wear himself, but students began asking for them.

“I put a flyer up on the stairway, [saying] ‘I’m gonna process the order this week, so if you want one come to me,’” Winberg said. “These people asked me and I charged them what the company charges me. I tell them it is not uniform.”

Slipping on a school sweater is easier than having to wear a long-sleeve under the school polo shirts. Students want to get up and go without having to double-up on layers during the winter. If school club sweaters were allowed, there would be less uniform policy violations throughout the year and students would feel comfortable without any complaints.

Students who are involved in sports are allowed to wear their jerseys on game days in representation of their sport and school. However, that makes the rule twice as unfair; that privilege shouldn’t be granted only to student athletes. If administrators cannot make a full change to the rule, clubs should be granted certain days to freely wear their sweaters without penalty.