UPDATE: Pink hair controversy appears to be over

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pink hair for breast cancer northwood

At least a dozen students at Northwood Middle School dyed strips of their hair pink for breast cancer awareness. The school sent them home and said they can't return until the pink is out of their hair. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Oct 12, 2008 at 9:41 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 12, 2008 at 10:04 PM EST

WAKARUSA -- "The case of the color controversy" appears to have come to an end.

Parents tell WSBT News that students at Northwood Middle School will be allowed to put pink in their hair next week.

At least a dozen students were sent home last week for having the pink-colored hair. The students say they did it to show their support for breast cancer awareness.

But the school's principal said colored hair is against school policy because it's disruptive. But parents now say the students will be allowed to put a pink stripe in their hair.

The school will also be raising money for breast cancer awareness.

Monday, Oct 20 at 9:31 PM kara wrote ...

I'm a 27 year old professional, I've had pink hair before, I will be dying my hair pink again soon...I think it looks beautiful and they're supporting a good cause, way to go girls!! I really don't approve of the schools disciplining girls for the color of their hair...I think it's laughable, reminds me of the john waters movie hairspray when they send tracy turnblatt to the principle for teasing her hair too high, lol I mean come on.

Friday, Oct 17 at 4:12 PM i go too nwms wrote ...

mercedes and brooke did the right thing, even if at the time mr. roelandts didnt think so, they still did!

Friday, Oct 17 at 10:29 AM teacher wrote ...

This morning a convocation was held at NWMS to celebrate the $1,400 raised this week for Breast Cancer Awareness. Because the students and staff met the challenge put before them, a student painted a pink stripe in the principal's hair. I am proud that something that started off negatively ended on such a positive note. Not only was awareness raised regarding breast caner, but the value of positive problem solving skills was reinforced.

Friday, Oct 17 at 8:53 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The absence of the media at this positive event is noteable.

Thursday, Oct 16 at 1:26 PM someone wrote ...

okay whoever decided to not let this happen when it is going on every where in like every school is stupid, SERIOUSLY? if you had a relative that had breast cancer they would LOVE the support, I just would love to know if the principal or whoever suspended them has a family member with his cancer?!?!!?!? Yeah, think about it.. Well i mean maybe no one should support anythig i guess then huh??? lets just not contribute to anything. THANKS TO ALL THOSE PEOPLE THAT CARE TO SUPPORT.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 10:04 PM Mercedes wrote ...

hey everyone this is mercedes as for everyone who left good comments supporting us and the ongoing fight for breast cancer thank you so much! and as for those of you who assume things you need to get your facts stright. as a matter of fact i did know Diane Brown very well and alothough brooke may not have what about her mom!! this is a good cause and who are they to tell us that we cant support it in a way that realy matters to us! everything with the scool is fine now.. so get yur facts right.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 1:14 PM An inquiring mind! wrote ...

Someone said that one of the girls names was Mercedes! Is her last name Benz?

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 11:26 AM Number 2 wrote ...

I just want to say that I hate the picture related to that story. The way the girl is smirking, like she knows she got all the attention like she wanted and got her way, just makes me want to reach through the screen and slap it right off her pretty little face. These kids did it for the attention and got plenty of it and are now, obviously, pleased with themselves.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:31 PM The real story wrote ...

Hey, going back to the first picture in the orginal story. What kind of booze was that on top of the frige just beyond the reach of the 3 teenagers??

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 3:08 PM Myrt wrote ...

It is only hair -

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 2:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Ok first who cares. Let this do what they want. This is America right? Doens't it say somewhere in constitution that we should have some kind of freedom? Secondly making these students leave school until they take the color out is taking away the girls rights as humans and something should be done about wanee schools. No wonder the school system is going down the pooper they care more about hair color than more important issues.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 12:29 PM Wakarusa Parent wrote ...

This got way out of hand. I happen know the two girls that started this. Wakarusa lost a BELOVED woman last week due to breast cancer, everyone loved and admired her. I think this was their way of showing they loved her. I don't know about the other kids, but the girls who started this, did because they loved her! The other kids that were distructive were out of line. Actually, some of the Wa-Nee bus drivers did this also. I heard they raised money for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:50 AM anon wrote ...

Actually, to those who commented who thought the 3 girls who started it all knew Diane Brown, you're wrong. Mrs. Brown was the nurse at Wakarusa Elem., 2 of the 3 girls went to Nappanee Elem. and didn't know her. The girls may have wanted to draw attention to a cause, but they should have got it approved first. Now it is all about getting attention. I know the school system well, as I worked in it. Its a quality school, with valid rules.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 11:11 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I'm wondering why there is no controversy over the 80s eye liner.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 10:38 AM Concord parent wrote ...

to Tim at 8:27: Watch yourself! How dare you assume young people cannot get cancer! We have a young lady at Concord High School in the battle of her life right now and many parents have buried there children in the name of cancer. A girl I attended school with was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 22. Don't ever make assumptions!

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 8:20 AM N wrote ...

So if I dye my hair a wild color, could I get a couple days off work, only to have my employer change their mind and say its ok? Ooop, no, I'm an adult, that doesnt happen. Way to stand your ground and show some backbone Northwood! Aw, no, wait, you caved and gave in. Wussies.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 6:12 AM Michiana Woman wrote ...

Why don't you people worry about the real problem in the area? How many people have got shot, babies getting killed and abused. Now that's worth getting riled up about. It's hair people, get over it. Good luck girls! Maybe on every Friday Charge $1 to have your hair spray pink and give the money to breast cancer awareness. Let's try something constructive, not destructive.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:02 PM A HUGE Cornfosion fan! wrote ...

"J"ERK, is that extent of your contribution? How insightful! My mom pointed out what this cornfusion guy enters and believe me, he should be syndicated! What has he done to you to make you want to display yourself as such a "J"erk? Keep those remarks coming cornfusion! VERY FUNNY!

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:36 PM Just little o me wrote ...

I wonder if I paint my hair green showing awareness that we all are loosing are money and dont no where its all going.I think the pink hair was a good idea to support breast cancer awareness

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:21 PM plymouth high school sophmore student wrote ...

i aggree with this post "6:53 AM anonymous wrote ... If this were some goth kids being sent home it wouldn't have even made the news, but since it's 3 blonde girls....." lol. I think this is 100 percently true. but at least they got to do it

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:20 PM plymouth high scv wrote ...

i aggree with this post "6:53 AM anonymous wrote ... If this were some goth kids being sent home it wouldn't have even made the news, but since it's 3 blonde girls....." lol. I think this is 100 percently true. but at least they got to do it

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:08 PM Melinda Ogden wrote ...

Greg, you are right. A lot of men do have prostrate cancer and nobody says a thing. How come men are so scared of the tumor underneath? It is the same as the tumors in the breast. Only you have to recognize if it is benign or malignant. Anyways you will need chemo and all your hair will fall out and not mustash anymore. But somebody has to recognize this poor nurse who died of cancer and no chemo or anything else could have saved her. Check your body very often is the rule. For men and women ali

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:58 PM Abe Loren wrote ...

Confusious are you chinese? The filosopher Confusion was one who could not desci`pher the talents of people when they were far away in la la land. Your comment seems to be the ones that makes people think thats why they always wonder if you are writing from Shanhai, Nom Phen or Cambodia. This is so interesting to know that the girls in pink are now normal and they should wash their hair all the time so thicks wont get in and mess up their do. I love them all for breast cancer affair they did a g

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:51 PM Julie wrote ...

If the worst thing this school or these parents have to worry about is a pink stripe in the girls hair; with the money paid going to a good, worthy charitable cause... then I say there's a lot to be thankful for and proud of!! More power to you girls (& boys?)!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 4:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

guess theres no rules at that school ! what a joke whats next ????

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:58 PM open your eyes wrote ...

don't know: School is not a normal learning environment.

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:33 PM Sid wrote ...

It is soo common now on seeing all different colors in a person's hair so what is the big deal?

Monday, Oct 13 at 3:29 PM Dawn wrote ...

I cant believe the fascist comments from some people. Glad to see these girls are able to question "authority" when it doesnt make sense. Because, you know, being HUMAN about something and having COMPASSION is soooo bad.

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:31 PM But, we have a "good" reason... wrote ...

As silly as this rule may seem, it is a rule and should have been kept. They cave this time, and they might as well tell the kids to throw out the rule book. Circumstantial ethics are the death of any decent society. As for support for cancer patients, I'm guessing pink hair is fun while volunteering/raising donations aren't. Since hair color is now acceptable if you say it's for a good cause, how about red&blue stripes for voter support? Green for the environment? Gray for social security?

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:09 PM are you blind? wrote ...

pamela, you're an idiot. these kids just lost a nurse to breast cancer. how can you be so heartless to think they did it for attention? by the way, you do know it's breast cancer awareness month... right?

Monday, Oct 13 at 2:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

please...no more pink ribbions or lance amstrong wrist bracelets...it's become annoying.

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:30 PM Oscar wrote ...

If girls put pink in their hair for breast cancer awareness, what do guys do for colon cancer awareness?

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:23 PM Pamela wrote ...

I'm pretty sure when those kids went to school. The kids were not thinking about supporting breast cancer. The parents of these kids came up with this idea to make them seem as if there was a purpose. B...S...!!!!!!!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 1:08 PM Anonymous wrote ...

To WOW.. Go to bed or go write down some plate numbers..

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:39 PM formerwaneestudent wrote ...

the sad thing is, these kids just lost the school nurse to breast cancer, THAT IS THE MAIN REASON FOR DOING THAT! diane brown was VERY close to those kids. i think people need to get there story straight.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:35 PM Winners wrote ...

It is on rare (and I mean rare) occasion that I agree with anything "Cornfused" has to say, but last week he received some media attention on a comment that I agreed with........Instead of going all pink for the breast cancer support, why don't the girls shave their heads in support of the chemo patients going through all types of cancer? Several ladies at Heinnies Back Barn in Elkhart did this awhile back in support of their co-worker that was going through cancer.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:14 PM Amy wrote ...

5:48 Michelle has the right idea. These girls just wanted an excuse to break school rules. Nice to see the officials "bent" the rules for a group of spoiled brats.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:09 PM slippery slope wrote ...

yeah, sure you say it doesn't matter, but these are photogenic kids who are probably cheerleaders or glee club members. very chipper and upright. now that we've set a precedent, what's to stop the skateboarders or - heaven forbid - the goths from going all weird. before you know it, they'll be wearing rainbow afros and skull implants. once they start attaching metal spikes to their head, you'll regret this decision.

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:42 AM J.."to Tim" wrote ...

TIM What in would! Uh Anyone can get cancer your fool!..It don't matter how old you are Dang where did you go to school? Knox?..

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:36 AM Wa-nee Parent wrote ...

Kids are very disrespectful now days and after seeing how parents responded to this act, I understand why they are that way! The parents are idiots also!! My child is in the Wa-nee school district and this story has not been accurate from day one!! NOT A GOOD JOB OF JOURNALISM BY WSBT!!!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 11:31 AM J wrote ...

There he is again cornfusion has to get his little comments in on everything

Monday, Oct 13 at 10:59 AM Greg Straight wrote ...

I am so glad the girls got off the hook. Now I want to know if they are gona do some green paintin on the hair for prostate cancer that affects all men and they also should be aware of the dangers and the difficulties men have when they discover this desease. This girls are supposed to be commended for a wonderful deed on awareness of breast cancer and its debilitating effects on the human personality. Their hair now are washed and soon everything will be forgotten but the desease continues.

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:49 AM don't know wrote ...

For those that don't work in a school environment, you should keep your comments to yourself. It is disruptive along with kids who don't have food to eat, parents abusing them, bullying, and the list goes on. Schools can control the hair rule and they will to help prevent disruptions in the school and try to maintain a normal learning environment.

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:47 AM Cornfusion wrote ...

Tim, you may not be an idiot, as 'tired of idiots' so eloquently refered to you as, but you are mistaken that these children are too young to get cancer. I have seen two year olds die of it and I'm sure there have been younger as well. #2 I don't think these girls wanted the attention they got they just clung to the first limb they could get ahold of going down the river when they got swept away. #3. Barney has a VERY small audience. I brough him up to a 3 yr old once and he gave me the finger!

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:42 AM Maron Zift wrote ...

Now are they for mammograms or not? Is this school prepared for the coming tumors of the year? We want woment to be aware of the colostomy and the colon cancer too. They seems to worry only on the breast cancer awareness and the pink color was only an excuse to cause trouble for all school children invelved. The principàl was mad because they did not follow the rules. But who cares about the women who suffers because of this desease? Is there any cure in sight for aids and tumors in the brain?

Monday, Oct 13 at 9:22 AM Tired of idiots wrote ...

Tim, You are an idiot. These kids are trying to raise awareness for a good cause and you and your imbecilic ideas are an affront to what is decent and what these kids are trying to accomplish. If you think they are too young to get cancer, then go to some of the children's hospitals around the country. You need to keep your comments to yourself if you don't know what you are talking about.

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:48 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Having a rule that hair color is disruptive, is kinda wrong. Plus the students were doing something for a good cause. I'm glad to hear that they will allow the pink in the hair, but really, I think there are bigger issues in our school systems, then what students do to thier hair!!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:32 AM peggy griffin wrote ...

I think you kids are doing a wonderful thing, and i respect you for all you are doing. yea, go kids!!

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:27 AM Tim wrote ...

I want to put a purple stripe in my hair to raise awareness of Barney!! He's a good dinosour helping children!!! These kids wanted attention!!! I don't even think they are old enough to get cancer.

Monday, Oct 13 at 8:22 AM Wakarusa Parent wrote ...

I know the principal at this school personally, and he told WSBT the whole story, about how kids were spraying on the bus and dragging kids in the restrooms and spraying them and the restroom walls. Had they asked the principal first if they could do this, he would have been fine with it. But they took it upon themselves knowing it was against the rules. WSBT KNEW ALL OF THIS, but chose to NOT broadcast it, because it would have been a non-issue. Better to get people fired up instead!

Monday, Oct 13 at 7:47 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I belive it was a very good idea and the kids meant well, but they should have had the schools permission first. Then none of this would have happened.

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:54 AM anonymous wrote ...

If this had been some goth kids, no one would have said a word but since it's 3 blondes all Hell breaks lose! Good example set for all.

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:51 AM Cori wrote ...

So if you get enough press involved, a special few can break the rules? Wonderful...so much for integrity.

Monday, Oct 13 at 6:38 AM elkhart wrote ...

Big difference is a couple strips of pink then a hunk of pink hair. Not sure why you need that much colored. Most people are getting a small strip, which probably would not have been such an issue. Thanks for showing support anyways.

Monday, Oct 13 at 5:48 AM Michelle wrote ...

The kids should collect pledges for wearing the pink hair. And the money given to breast cancer awareness. Instead of just wearing the pink hair to show support.

Monday, Oct 13 at 12:23 AM JAS wrote ...

ah, those good old pointless school rules. really, is it that big of a "disruptive"?

Sunday, Oct 12 at 11:55 PM Stan wrote ...

Right or wrong, can anyone in any town, city, county, state, or country make an objective decision and stick to it, on anything? We're a country of college educated flip floppers!

Sunday, Oct 12 at 11:14 PM MeatLoaf74 wrote ...

It was a good idea, I belive they also did it to stir up drama. There is plenty of other ways they could have showed there support. Especially breaking shool rules.

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:52 PM Cornfusion wrote ...

Okay, everybody, pack it and let's roll! We're OUTA HERE!I hear there's a fourth grader in a Mishawaka school with a picture of his grandmother praying the Rosary in his locker. Let's get those pencil's sharpened! The kid may be trying to undermine the law by combining church and state!

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:42 PM M.H. wrote ...

This isn't caving in. It's a few stick-in-the-mud adults, who are against anything different, finally realizing that rules are meant to be broken when it's for a good cause. I think breast cancer awareness is a lot more important than worrying about a frivilous rule. Thank God these girls have kind hearts, unlike what we hear about many teens in the news these days. Pink hair is NOTHING compared to drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. I applaud these girls!

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:24 PM Siege wrote ...

It's a good compromise. However, if the students had simply ASKED to do this beforehand, and an announcement had been made that the pink hair would be allowed for one week for this specific reason, maybe the drama could have been avoided in the first place. And really....aren't there enough other ways to wear pink and show support for breast cancer awareness other than breaking a school rule?

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:12 PM wow wrote ...

NOT A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE! Your a real bunch of cave-ins. The real problems in this country are starting to show FACE!!!!

Sunday, Oct 12 at 10:03 PM Jen wrote ...

Thats good to hear! I'm really happy to see children/teens being allowed to do positive things to support others and their community!!!

Sunday, Oct 12 at 9:57 PM Zzzzzzz... wrote ...

Really, who cares?????????

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