Manchester Graduation Gown Color Rumors False: Superintendent

MANCHESTER, NJ — No, there will be no change in the cap and gown colors for graduation at Manchester Township High School.

Manchester Township Superintendent David Trethaway issued a statement Thursday in an attempt to quell rumors spreading across social media that a change, purportedly to the girls' gowns, was imminent.

Trethaway said that simply is not the case.

"The suggestion of considering moving to one color for the cap and gown was discussed with me previously but was only a suggestion to consider," he wrote in a statement posted on the district's website. "Before any serious consideration of any change, the high school administrators looked to get the opinions of this idea from students, staff and parents."

"The input was that Hawk tradition is very important to all of our current students and parents as well as our alumni and there were strong feelings to keep the two colors at Manchester," he wrote.

Because of the strong feelings expressed, the idea was not pursued further, he said.

"A formal request to change to one color never really reached my desk nor was it ever discussed at the Board level," Trethaway said.

He said there was no specific reason the idea was raised, it was simply brought up for consideration.

Some school districts use one color for graduation caps and gowns, it's not common in the area. A handful of high schools in northern New Jersey have shifted to a single color in the last couple of years, and talk of a similar move at neighboring Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township prompted an outpouring of protests from students, parents and alumni.

In Manchester, a petition was being circulated opposing the idea, which some believed involved dropping the gold gowns worn by girls.

"While this idea never really reached a level of serious discussion, I would like to thank the parents who called me to get information on this and I would also like to thank all who offered their opinion on this idea," Trethaway said.

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Photo via Manchester Township Schools