Dec 26, 2002 By April Straughters 6 min read

The recently appointed student representative to the Brownsville Area School Board stirred things up a little at her first meeting, persuading the board and the district’s superintendent to review the district’s dress code policy which currently forbids and strictly enforces body piercing. There’s nothing shy about Jenna Jackson of New Salem, a senior at Brownsville Area High School, who is prepared to be the voice of her school district.

The Brownsville Area School Board went without a student representative for a number of years, and Jackson said she wants to reopen communications between the board and the students.

The daughter of William and Janice Jackson of New Salem, Jackson is heavily involved in school activities and is vying for valedictorian this year.

Jackson stood her ground at the meeting as she told the board of directors and Superintendent Dr. Gerry Grant how students feel about the no body piercing policy. She remained steadfast in her views as the board explained the reason for the policy.

“I understand it (body piercing) is a safety concern, but if that’s the case wouldn’t glasses be considered a safety concern, wouldn’t earrings?” Jackson asked the board.

Grant explained the policy was implemented two years ago after a student had an eyebrow ring torn out during a fight.

“Glasses are needed,” Grant said. “Piercings are not. Someone had an eyebrow ring torn out, that can cause disfigurement. And as far as (tongue piercings) the nurse told us there are a lot of ramifications and health factors involved.”

Grant said a committee made up of board members, teachers and students agreed to the current dress policy.

But Jackson, who has no body piercings of her own, pressed on for her classmates.

“My concern for most people is that they paid money for that and now they can’t use it,” Jackson said.

Grant said she would not like to see the policy changed, but said it is the school board’s decision.

“I myself would not like to see it changed. Students know ahead of time (of the policy). It’s been like this for some time now.”

But Jackson was passionate about her cause and explained that students, who obviously have the permission from their parents to wear body piercings, are wasting good money because of the policy. She said students have tried to compromise by wearing Band-Aids over their earrings or placing fishing wire or string in place of the ring, but have been made to even remove them.

Jackson’s passionate response gave way to more input from the audience and board members.

Resident Nena Kaminsky, former board member, said she believes if parents allow their child to wear body piercings, then the school district has no right to interfere with that decision.

President Andy Dorsey said although he originally voted against body piercing, he may reconsider.

“I do agree that it is a safety hazard. But if the parents have allowed their children to do it, what can we do? If the student is 18 he is an adult and we are pushing or views on the students. At least they should be able to wear soft plastic retainers,” Dorsey said.

“My concern is that if they are old enough die for our country, they should be old enough to wear at least a retainer (in school).”

President Rocky Brashear told Jackson to go back to her classmates and try to come up with some suggestions.

“I appreciate you being here, you are our line of communication with the students,” Brashear said.

Grant said she will call a committee meeting, in which Jackson will be invited to attend, to review the school’s dress code.

Director John Evans, who suggested the board bring a student representative back to the board, said that kind of communication between the representative and the board is exactly what he was hoping for.

“I think it’s great. No one should be offended by it, that’s exactly why we want a student on board to look at issues that are concerning the students,” Evans said.

Evans said he is very pleased with Jackson’s appointment to the board.

“She is presenting herself very well and representing the students nicely. She handles herself professionally and, she pays attention to what’s going on. That’s what I was hoping, for and that’s what we’ve got.” The board’s response and attentiveness to Jackson was a surprise to both Jenna and her mother Jan Jackson.

Before the meeting Jan Jackson said she hoped her daughter would be taken seriously.

“She’s very excited to do this. I only hope it’s a positive experience for both her and the board. I hope she’s not just a token. If they created the position it should be taken seriously,” she said.

“I figure maybe they will see our point, but I doubt if I change minds. I hope so, but I don’t know if that is possible.”

Now she knows it is, as the board has agreed to hold a committee meeting to review the district’s dress code policy.

Jackson said her classmates have been approaching her with concerns since she was elected as the student representative and she plans to relay all issues to the board.

She said another issue students want her to address is a policy that forbids water bottles in school.

According to Diana Michael, high school teacher and senior class sponsor, Jackson is an exemplary student. She said Jackson was elected by her fellow students to the position. She said this was the first year the district ever held an election for the position.

Michael said 18 seniors were nominated from a pool of 120 seniors and appeared on the election ballot.

“Jenna is an exemplary student, all the nominees were. This class has a tremendous amount of exemplary students,” Michael said.

Jackson is a member of the cross country track team, track and field, student forum, National Honor Society (NHS), Spanish NHS, Interact Club, student forum and student council. She is a candy striper and also works part-time.

Jackson is vying for valedictorian, with a 4.0 GPA and has already been accepted at Penn State University’s Main Campus, the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University. She plans to be an optometrist.

She has two sisters, Joni Rankin and Jill Jackson also of New Salem, both graduates of Brownsville Area High School.