LIBERTY — A Liberty High School senior is raising concerns over the district’s graduation dress code policy, which limits the cords and regalia students can wear to those representing a specific list of approved organizations.

Sandra Hanofee, a member of the Class of 2025, said she was disappointed to learn she could not wear cords representing her involvement in 4-H and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IA) during the upcoming commencement ceremony on June 27.

Hanofee has been active in the Jeffersonville-based 4-H club “Diehl Us In” since middle school, where she participates in community service and leadership activities. She is also part of a varsity-level horseback riding team and represented the region at Nationals in 2023.

“I have been really involved in ‘Diehl Us In’ and have advertised it on social media,” Hanofee said. “I have over 30 hours a year in it.”

The district’s policy only allows regalia from approved groups, including school-issued sashes for valedictorians and salutatorians, and cords and medals from organizations such as the National Honor Society, NYS Seal of Biliteracy, HOBY Youth Leadership, and SkillsUSA.

The school’s website explains that the dress code is meant to preserve the formality of the ceremony and highlight academic and civic achievements. The district noted that, after reviewing policies at other Sullivan County schools, it found most follow a similar approach.

“I know there are some requests...many questions come up about our cords,” said Superintendent Patrick Sullivan. “The purpose of our graduation ceremony is to make it welcoming for everyone. We don’t want to alienate or overshadow the purpose of the [graduation] ceremony.”

In February, the school held a public forum to review the policy. Around 15 attendees participated, with some asking the district to consider more inclusive recognition of extracurricular involvement. Despite the feedback, the policy remained unchanged.

“We’ve had student and community forums,” Sullivan added. “We provide students the opportunity to express themselves as long as it’s aligned with our district Code of Conduct.”

Students are permitted to decorate the tops of their caps, provided designs comply with school policies.

Hanofee said the district’s stance feels contradictory to its emphasis on student involvement.

“I put so much time into it,” she said. “It’s so hard to juggle school and sports because I’m also a student athlete,” stated Hanofee “It’s kind of hurtful because the school preaches a lot about extracurriculars, but then when you want to represent the one you do, they won’t budge.”

She also noted that organizations like 4-H offer more than rural programming — including leadership opportunities, scholarships, and community service — and that students deserve recognition for their accomplishments beyond the classroom.