A headline in a suburban school’s yearbook that was used to describe a competitive cheerleading team has sparked controversy, prompting an apology from the school.
The page in the Oswego High School yearbook features the headline “no one ugly allowed” over a photo of the school’s cheerleading squad.
“The headline of the article is inappropriate and should have been recognized and removed during the editing process,” Principal Mike Wayne wrote in a letter to students and parents. “While the headline quotes a line in a song, and was not intended to come across offensive, it has, and we sincerely apologize.”
Members of the team told NBC 5 the message, which was written in bright orange and all capital letters, was part of a song that coaches use to hype the girls up before competition.
“I see how some people would think it’s an issue, but like, the hidden meaning is like ‘no one ugly allowed’ as in like character so they didn’t want anyone with an ugly character on the cheer team” said student Brendan Vecchione.
Some at the school argued it sends the wrong message to girls who didn’t make the team, while others say the issue was blown out of proportion.
Some on social media called the incident “sad” or “upsetting.”
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“Moving forward, the administration of Oswego High School is committed to working with our yearbook advisor and students to review the yearbook content more closely, and with a more sensitive eye,” Wayne wrote. “Again we apologize for the article headline and welcome anyone with additional questions or concerns to contact any member of the OHS administrative team.”
