High School Senior Who Enlisted In Military Battling School District Over Graduation Sash

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — A high school senior who has enlisted in the military is battling her school district over a graduation sash.

"The military is a very important part of my life, and I want to stand up for what I think is important," said Frankie Baker, 17.

Baker is set to graduate from John Burroughs High School next Thursday and wanted to wear this sash along with her cap and gown at her commencement ceremony because she's proud of her enlistment in the military.

"They said no because it's not school awarded and they wanted everyone to look pretty similar," Baker said.

The school superintendent says graduation is about accomplishments during high school -- not after.

"The kinds of things that they're going to do after graduation: go to college, going to the military, going into different academies. They can wear those on Senior Awards night," said Jan Britz, the superintendent for the Burbank Unified School District.

Baker's mother says Frankie's decision to join the military came last year as a junior when she met a recruiter on campus.

"My feeling is the school allows the recruiters to come in and recruit our children. They allow them to take the test, which I wasn't even aware of. And yet they won't let them to wear a sash representing their country," said Maria Aviles, Frankie's mother.

The family is planning to speak at the school board meeting this Thursday on this matter.

"I do feel they're coming off disrespectful to me because I feel like being told 'No' to represent the military ... I don't understand it," Baker said.

But Britz said: "I myself support the military. I've had two boys. I only have two boys, and they both went into the Air Force right after graduation."

Baker says her stance on graduation is her way of living up the Air Force motto: "Aim High."