Petition Launched As Controversy Stews Over Phoenixville's Graduation Gowns

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Controversy is brewing in Phoenixville as nearly 1,000 people, as of Friday morning, had signed a petition to keep the high school's graduation gowns purple and white.

The petition, launched on Wednesday, quickly gained a following from many who said that the school district had decided to change the 2018 gowns to only purple, which was taken as a social or political statement.

However, the district has not yet made any such decision on the 2018 gowns, according to Sandra Claus, a spokesperson for the district. She said on Friday that the issue is still being discussed.

"(PAHS Principal) Dr. Parkinson will be having respectful conversations with students throughout the next few weeks about this topic," Claus said.

Individuals who signed the petition declaimed that the gowns have always been purple and white, and that to change them was a disrespectful break with tradition.

"Purple and white gowns have been the tradition at Phoenixville graduation forever," wrote Gabrielle Dato, who launched the petition. "We intend to do everything we can to preserve this tradition."

Claus said that this is not true, and that the gown colors were originally black.

"There are often changes to various parts of the graduation ceremony from one year to the next," she added.

To view the petition, see here.

Image via Gabrielle Dato/Change.org petition