Fourteen-year-old Ariana Iacono of North Carolina was suspended on the first day of school for violating her school’s dress code policy. What is it this time, too short of a skirt, a politically incorrect t-shirt, or maybe electric-blue hair?

No, Ariana was suspended for wearing a nose ring—a violation of the no-piercing policy at Clayton High School.  In fact, this is the third time she’s been suspended for the small stud in her nose. Her unique defense is what has been landing national headlines.

Ariana claims her piercing is a religious symbol of self-esteem and spiritual growth via the Church of Body Modification. One of the ministers of this church, 22-year-old Richard Ivey, III, claims, “We strongly believe in  the relationship between mind, body and soul. Sometimes what you do to the body can strengthen the mind and soul or bring the mind and soul into harmony with the body.”

Apparently a nose stud reminds Ariana she is a beautiful person, and this argument is supported by her mother as well. "This was for her a symbolic representation of reclaiming her beauty and her self-esteem,” asserted Nikki Iacono. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is involved and defending Ariana’s religious argument, citing precedent—“religious beliefs need not be acceptable, logical, consistent or comprehensible to others in order to merit First Amendment protection.”

Ariana’s school doesn’t share these views and are standing by their suspension and are threatening to suspend her again or send her to an alternative school if she returns to the school next week with her piercing.

Have you encountered situations like these in your classroom?
Is this story a major distraction or a worthwhile debate about religious freedom?
Comment below.

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