Some Greenville students say they were denied the chance to wear their honors cords at graduation during the weekend. In this case, the cords were red, white and blue -- in honor of their future service in the military.
"My feeling is disgusted actually," Amy Eager said. "These children are signing their life away for the next four to 20 years, so everyone can sleep peaceful in their beds."
Her son, Tyler Navarre, is going into the Marines. She says it’s something he's wanted to do, since he was little boy. He’s among several other students entering the military.
A local organization gave them patriotic cords to wear at graduation.
"I think everyone should be able to be excited, happy, and acknowledge their achievements," Christine Lincoln said.
Her daughter was given a red cord for consistently donating blood, but she and the others were told they couldn't wear the cords. Lincoln was particularly upset about the military cords.
Her husband did two tours in Iraq.
"I've always stood behind our military no matter what," she said.
Lincoln has since started a petition to get the school to change the rules. It's garnered more than 275 signatures since 7 p.m. Monday, June 6.
"My thought is Greenville is an amazing school," Eager said. "The high school is great, teachers are great, and the principal is great. It’s a superintendent problem."
Superintendent Linda VanHouten told WZZM 13 that she was too busy to do an interview, but says the reason she won't allow the cords is that they have to draw the line somewhere.
VanHouten added the cords should be limited to academic achievements only.
WZZM 13 checked with several area school districts. Most, including Grand Rapids Public Schools, say students can wear whatever honors cords they want at graduation.