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Parents, students and principal press board over military stoles at Hermiston graduation
Summary
Several speakers — including Principal Spoo, parents of a graduating enlistee, and veterans — addressed the Hermiston School Board about a dispute over military‑issued stoles that resulted in at least one student not boarding the graduation bus and forfeiting participation. Board members said they will review the matter with district leadership.
Principal Spoo told the board he was addressing misinformation circulating on social media about a graduate who was denied permission to participate in the ceremony while wearing a military stole.
"It is true that the student was informed he would not be allowed to participate in the ceremony if he insisted on wearing a stole that had not been approved," Principal Spoo said. He said the student was given two choices: remove the unapproved stole and board the bus for graduation or not board and forfeit participation. Spoo said the student chose not to board and "ultimately chose to forego his opportunity to participate." He said the district provided red, white and blue cords to all students joining the military and described the district’s long record of supporting military service, including the new JROTC program.
Concha Fernandez, who identified herself as the parent of graduating student Dante Fernandez, told the board she believed her son had earned the right to wear a U.S. Navy‑issued stole and said he had completed testing and medical processing required by the Navy. "He will be leaving 07/02/2025 to begin his commitment to the country," Fernandez said. She asked the board for clarification about why the policy was not followed in her son’s case and requested an apology for the students she said were denied the right to wear their stoles.
Several community members and veterans also spoke. Tony Fitch, citing recordings of a conversation with a school administrator, said he did not believe students should be prevented from wearing branch‑issued stoles. Justin Gutierrez, a graduate, said an assistant principal instructed bus chaperones to confiscate military stoles and hand out a generic red, white and blue cord instead. Gutierrez said he hid his stole, wore it briefly on stage, and was later told by an administrator that his behavior was "absolutely not okay," adding, "I know what happened was wrong. ... What can we do to make this better?"
Board Chair and members noted they typically do not respond directly to public comment items during the same meeting if the item is not on the agenda; Dr. Mooney, the superintendent, was asked to provide clarification after the comments. The board did indicate it would review the matter with district leadership and consider next steps for clarifying and communicating the policy to families and staff.
