South Carolina High School Principal Admonishes Students During 10th Grade Assembly Speech That Girls Over Size Two Shouldn't Wear Leggings Because It Makes Them Look Fat

Nov 14, 2019 by apost team

A high school principal is making headlines for all of the wrong reasons.

Heather Taylor is the principal of Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina. During an assembly for 10th graders, she started talking about the school's dress code, and she called out girls for wearing leggings. "You are showing everything," she told the female students. "Yes, everything." She also delivered some questionable remarks on body size.

"Ladies, if someone has not told you this before, I'm going to tell you this now," she said. "Unless you are a size zero or a two, and you wear something like that, even though you are not fat, you look fat." Heather's comments were captured on video and posted to social media. In no time, they were met with outrage by parents, students, teachers and other members of the Goose Creek community.

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"Body shaming girls, anyone, when they are at their most impressionable and vulnerable is ugly, bullying, and uncalled for," said one commenter. "Shame on your principal for being such a poor example for young women," said another. "I am so disgusted that an educator would in any way think those comments were appropriate."

"I have a sister who died from anorexia because of statements like the ones your principal made," said a comment. "Shame on YOU!!!" Some community members called for Heather's resignation. "When the principal decides it's a good idea to fat shame teenage girls, it's time to get a new principal." Others appealed for moderation.

"Maybe the administrator needs to work on effective communication. My philosophy in raising teenagers was to use words to build others up, not tear them down." The comments continued to flood in as the story was picked up by national news outlets. Some people even gave bad ratings to Stratford High School on sites like Google and Facebook.

Heather issued a statement through the school board where she clarified, "My intention was not to hurt or offend any of my students in any way. I assured them all that I am one of their biggest fans and invested in their success." However, detractors have noticed that she never actually apologized for the comments, and she continues to work at the school.

What do you think? Were her comments out of line, or are people blowing the incident out of proportion? Do you think leggings should be banned by school dress codes? Sound off in the comments!