Students' cultural expressions banned at graduation ceremonies

A federal judge has ruled against a Colorado student who sued to wear a sash reflecting the Mexican and American flags at graduation, stating that standardized attire was required to create a message of unity. The student's lawsuit claimed that the district violated her "constitutionally protected right to free speech." The judge denied the motion for a temporary restraining order, stating that a student wearing regalia at graduation sends a message that the school approves, so it "qualifies as school-sponsored speech, at least for the duration of the ceremony."