Teen accepts graduation rules, to wear cap, gown over uniform

New Marine Steven Kiernan has agreed to accept school rules governing graduation next week at Petaluma High School, ending a dispute that brought hundreds of angry calls, letters and e-mails to Principal Mike Simpson.

Kiernan, 17, who graduated Wednesday from Marine boot camp in San Diego, will wear a cap and gown over his Marine dress blues at the high school's commencement June 11. The teen completed high school requirements early to attend boot camp, and his family had sought to forego the cap and gown so he could walk at graduation in uniform.

But Kiernan said his respect for his school, classmates and principal made a handshake preferable to a standoff.

"Mr. Simpson is a good man, and he has my respect. I want the spotlight off me and back on my fellow graduates who have all accomplished big things," Kiernan said.

At graduation, Kiernan will be seated in one of the front rows, among fellow students who have earned special recognition. When the name Steven Joseph Kiernan is called, the title, "private, U.S. Marine Corps," will follow. He will not yank off his cap and gown during the ceremony or call attention to himself, he said.

Following his graduation from Marine boot camp, Kiernan flew home to try and resolve the controversy that swirled around his high school graduation.

On Thursday morning, he headed to Simpson's office with his mother, Kim.

Simpson has received a steady stream of nasty phone calls, letters and e-mails over his firm stance on caps and gowns for commencement. Other letter writers, while praising Kiernan's service, were supportive of the principal's decision, as was the school board.

"I wanted to meet as fast as possible, so all this negative attention Mr. Simpson was getting would end. I really felt there was no winning or losing, so we came to an agreement," Kiernan said.

Simpson said he's glad the issue is resolved.

"I'm feeling relieved that the truth of the matter was addressed. At no time did the district ever say he couldn't wear his dress blues and yet, I received hundreds of letters, hundreds of e-mails, saying, 'Let the kid wear his uniform!' " Simpson said.

Kiernan said he apologized to Simpson for any stress he experienced defending district policy.

"I totally accepted Steven's apology. Steven is a great kid," Simpson said.

With boot camp behind him, the controversy resolved and high school graduation ahead, Kiernan said he plans to relax and eat his mom's home cooking.

"I'm so proud of him for the way he handled himself. He's really matured," said his mother. "The Marines taught him how to clean everything like crazy, so I'm going to put him to work. I'm going to let him clean the house."