Schools Reverse Graduation Stole Decision After Petition Inspires Change

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — High school graduates are now permitted to wear stoles, cords and medals at commencement ceremonies in Anne Arundel County.

Graduates were previously only allowed to wear regalia issued by Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the State of Maryland or the U.S. military. That excluded clubs like the National Honor Society. Student-athletes were allowed to wear medals at senior banquets but not graduation ceremonies.

"What is clear to me at this point is that our administrative regulation regarding this matter is unintentionally vague and that over the course of the last several years, our implementation of that regulation has been inconsistent," Superintendent Mark Bedell said in a press release. "As the leader of this school district, I will own that and work to rectify it. Our graduation ceremonies should be places where students can be celebrated for the breadth of their accomplishments."

AACPS reversed its decision Wednesday after a petition on change.org collected over 1,900 signatures protesting the rule.

"It is another way to diminish the recognition of our students' success," petition organizer Syndy Kucner wrote at the time. "Allowing students to wear NHS stoles and pins and club cords at graduation would not only enhance their sense of achievement but also inspire underclassmen to strive for similar recognition."

When Patch first covered the petition last week, school spokesperson Bob Mosier pointed to Board Policy IID, Graduation Activities and Administrative Regulation IID-RA, Graduation Activities.

Regulations said, "Stoles, honor cords, and medals bestowed by AACPS or the State of Maryland in affiliation with an approved AACPS academic course, or a branch of the United States Armed Forces may be worn during graduation ceremonies. However, stoles, honor cords, and medals bestowed by outside organizations may be worn at senior and athletic awards ceremonies, but not at graduation ceremonies."

"Policy IID was adopted by the Board in 2016," Mosier said in an email. "Administrative Regulation IID-RA was developed in 2016 and last revised in 2023."

Community members protested the rules.

"Why are they being punished because others don't have the same goals. Give these young people something to be proud of," wrote an Edgewater petition signer identified only as Cissy.

Bedell decided to change course after hearing "significant discussion in our schools and communities."

"I have met with our high school principals and directed them to allow students to wear stoles and cords that have been provided to them by AACPS high schools at this year's ceremonies," Bedell said.
"Additionally, students will be able to wear honor society stoles or cords as well as state championship medals, whether they were earned in athletic or academic competitions."

Bedell promised to "put together a group this summer to begin revising the administrative regulation with the goal of developing a clear, easy-to-understand and prudent protocol that puts the focus on student achievement and allows for the recognition of those achievements."

Related: Graduates Can't Wear Some Stoles, Petition Pushes Back