9-Year-Old Suspended From School For Shaving Head To Support Friend With Cancer


A 9-year-old girl was suspended from school after shaving her head. Kamryn Renfro made the decision in support of her friend Delaney Clements, who recently began chemotherapy. Officials at Caprock Academy in Grand Junction, Colorado, said Kamryn violated the school’s dress code.

Delaney was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer, called neuroblastoma. The 11-year-old recently began chemotherapy treatment, which caused her to lose her hair.

With her parents’ permission, Kamryn got her head shaved in support of her friend. The 9-year-old said “it felt like the right thing to do.” Delaney’s mother, Wendy Campbell, said she was impressed with Kamryn’s decision:

“For a little girl to be really brave and want to shave her head in support of her friend, I thought that was a huge statement and it builds character in a child.”

Unfortunately, when Kamryn reported to school on Monday morning, she was suspended for shaving her head. School officials told the 9-year-old she can not return until her hair grows back — unless she chooses to wear a wig.

In an official statement, school board president Catherine Norton Breman said the dress code “was created to promote safety, uniformity, and a non-distracting environment for the school’s students.” The dress code prohibits female and male students from attending school with a shaved head.

On her Facebook page, Kamryn’s mother Jamie said school officials were “kind and respectful” when Kamryn was suspended for shaving her head. However, they are unable to make an exception without changing the official policy. Jamie has petitioned the board for an exception so her daughter can attend school.

As reported by The Daily Sentinel, the Board of Directors will be meeting to discuss the issue. It is unclear when they will vote and announce their decision.

As the story went viral on social media, Kamryn and her family have received a lot of attention. Jamie thanked everyone for the outpouring of support:

“On behalf of our family, we would like to express our gratitude for the support we have received from family, friends, and complete strangers today… The fact that we have the most amazing friends and family who support Kamryn, as well as people who were touched by my daughters bravery and courage took on a whole new life of its own.”

Jamie emphasized that she is not blaming the school board for suspending her daughter for shaving her head. She simply wants the policy changed to allow an exception.

[Images via Facebook]

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