One Cumberland County student is fighting back against his school after they told him the yearbook photo he took in honor of his recently passed father wasn't allowed to go in the yearbook.
Sam Malis' father passed away this month, and in his memory he planned a special yearbook photo including his father's yarmulke and a Christmas tie. "The yarmulke was my father's and it had been his fathers before him, and the Christmas tie was because my family celebrates Christmas and we've had a lot of great times celebrating Christmas."
Two weeks after the picture was taken, Sam was called into the high school office and told he could not use the picture.
"They said I was making a mockery of myself and the school and the religion." Malis said.
Sam explained the reasons for wearing his outfit, but after numerous meetings and conversations, they forced him to retake a photo. "They said you can either go in and take the retakes or you won't be in the yearbook."
Yesterday Sam took a new picture, wearing a different outfit but still wearing his Yarmulke and a Christmas tie. "When I went in for my picture retakes, they asked me to pay the sitting fee, and I told the Camera Box to send the bill to the school."
Still, Sam isn't satisfied and hopes the school will understand his story. "I want to be able to use my picture because it means a lot to me and I feel like I didn't break any rules and I should be able to wear what I want."
CBS 21 News tried reaching out to Camp Hill High School today about Sam's yearbook photo but they did not return our calls.
Sam Malis' father passed away this month, and in his memory he planned a special yearbook photo including his father's yarmulke and a Christmas tie. "The yarmulke was my father's and it had been his fathers before him, and the Christmas tie was because my family celebrates Christmas and we've had a lot of great times celebrating Christmas."
Two weeks after the picture was taken, Sam was called into the high school office and told he could not use the picture.
"They said I was making a mockery of myself and the school and the religion." Malis said.
Sam explained the reasons for wearing his outfit, but after numerous meetings and conversations, they forced him to retake a photo. "They said you can either go in and take the retakes or you won't be in the yearbook."
Yesterday Sam took a new picture, wearing a different outfit but still wearing his Yarmulke and a Christmas tie. "When I went in for my picture retakes, they asked me to pay the sitting fee, and I told the Camera Box to send the bill to the school."
Still, Sam isn't satisfied and hopes the school will understand his story. "I want to be able to use my picture because it means a lot to me and I feel like I didn't break any rules and I should be able to wear what I want."
CBS 21 News tried reaching out to Camp Hill High School today about Sam's yearbook photo but they did not return our calls.