Sydney Spies, Durango High School Senior's Photo Yanked From Yearbook For Controversial Attire (VIDEO)

A Durango High School senior had her yearbook portrait yanked and says that school administrators told her the photo violated school dress code.

The debated photo shows 18-year-old Sydney Spies wearing a black shawl and yellow skirt with plenty of skin in between.

However Spies is arguing that she was just trying to exercise her right to freedom of expression.

"Some people might think it's a little bit sexy or inappropriate. But I think it's artistic. I think it's a good expression of who I am as a person," Spies told 9News. "I'm a dancer, I'm trying to be a model, I really enjoy photography and I think that this is a good thing to represent me and I think they are taking away my freedom of expression."

After turning in her photo for publication, Spies says she was told she needed to make a different selection even though, she says, the yearbook editors had already voted 4-1 to allow it. The editors however told the Durango Herald on Thursday that in fact they decided, and not the administration nor their overseeing advisor, to revoke Spies photo.

According to the Student Press Law Center, Colorado's revised statute section 22-1-120 lays out specific free speech and press protections to public school publications "written substantially by students" but also contains a provision "making it the adviser's responsibility to supervise production and 'maintain professional standards.'"

Sydney Spies's mother, Miki Spies said on Facebook:

I wanted my daughter to chose a different photo but she is 18 and doesn't always listen! I knew this would be hard and it's proving to be.

On Wednesday, Spies, some of her peers, and her mother were protesting the decision with signs in front of her high school. The family is also reportedly seeking out a Denver civil lawyer to review the case, while Miki Spies is hinting they may be getting the ACLU involved.

Photo [via Facebook] of Spies that was revoked:

Comments

[J Slo]

31 minutes ago (11:58 PM)

A harmless photo and yet once again the "Media" goes balistic with it. It's the media that is to blame here. All they want is ratings and making something out of nothing. And what's sad is most everyone jumps on their band wagon. OK, I'm done on this subject except for the fact that she's 18 and can vote for a president of this pathetic conservitive country but can not express herself. "America Is No More" as it was intended to be. And yet they let everyone under the sun come to this country and cause all kinds of "real" problems.
I'm done. Thanks for putting up with me. :)

[J Slo]

1 hour ago (11:25 PM)

I'm not one to post comments on anything but this one just kind of ticked me off. I can bet you they wear far more revieling clothes to school now days than any yearbook photos.

[J Slo]

1 hour ago (11:17 PM)

For goodness sakes. Back in 70's when I was in "Catholic High School" I seen girls undies in the short skirts they wore. I didn't turn out so bad. Get a grip America!!!

[Nancy Lisak Ahyee]

05:31 PM on 05/22/2012

I guess I'm old, but when I was in high school, the professional photographers came and took everyone's photo and you had to choose one of those. There was no "submitting" a photo for publication. And things like this didn't happen.

[fatback65]

09:23 PM on 03/31/2012

If it was my daughter, I would be mortified that she submitted that pic. Oh well, we all have our standards.

[gsc25]

05:09 PM on 03/26/2012

Hey moderators - it makes little sense to bury the most recent comments at the end of the comment section. Wake UP!!!

[J Slo]

1 hour ago (11:07 PM)

For God's sakes America, let your kids choose their own indentity as I'm sure your parents let you. If I was the dad I would probably approve. Not like it's showing anything. Any wife of mine would dress even more daring. But that's just my preference. Go ahead, make all your pathetic statements. Won't bother me a bit. I'm just a very open minded guy, as should women be. America has a major wedgy up it's rear end. How sad. Kids could be doing far worse now days with all the technology and which I'm sure they are. Surprise all you clueless parents!

[gsc25]

03:47 PM on 03/26/2012

This just in from the U.S. Dept of Common Sense: Kid - this is just plain not appropriate, period. Mom: shove your contact with a lawyer (and the ACLU) you know where. The rest of you who fell anything about this matter is even worth discussing: You really need a life. DONE!

[sweethonesty7787]

01:51 PM on 03/26/2012

Gotta have standards and values. She got the attention she wanted, at least. Probably a bit more than she anticipated, but I'm sure she's enjoyed the exposure.

[PrettyBaBy]

08:38 AM on 02/11/2012

That's a ridiculous photo for a high school year book. I'm all for free expression, blah blah blah, but not when it infringes on common sense! Save the trashy/sexy pics for your headshot or lookbook. When you go to a go-see, they WON'T ask for your high school yearbook pic, missy.

[Dodgers1]

09:26 PM on 02/09/2012

We should be allowed to do anything we want to express ourselves, without any restrictions. Our expressions are about ourselves. Only religion should be restricted and conservative thinking should be restricted. Both religion and conservative thinking erodes our rights and the right to show our individuality. Every day I am offended when I'm on a public street and I am forced to see churches. Isn't this a restriction of my freedom from religion?

[PrettyBaBy]

08:40 AM on 02/11/2012

You're not offended when you see shelters or bars or strip clubs? And to add to your comment, ignorance must be restricted as well.

[Anne Marie313]

01:25 PM on 03/26/2012

This has nothing to do with restricting individuality it is just there is a time and a place for everything. Your problems with religion and conservatives is your problem. People can go out and build strip clubs and casinos and you will never see me get upset. The reason why this is different is that a school is a respectable setting. You wouldn't see someone dressed like that in an office setting simply because it removes credibility to the business. Same goes to how in police academy and certain military branches you need to cover your tattoos. The school yearbook is a reflection of the school and in turn, every student that goes to or has ever gone to that school.

[swizability1]

04:43 PM on 01/23/2012

Right, most talent agencies use h.s yearbooks for scouting talent. NOT!!! Time and place for everything ditzy blonde naive young girl. Get a clue and with the program.

[Paola Pena]

09:00 PM on 01/22/2012

Let's not kid ourselves here people this is NOT about her rights. This is about her getting attention for her so-called modeling career. If she wants to be remembered for the way she looks that's on her. She's never going to be anything more than a Playboy model judging by the pictures she's submitted for a high school yearbook. Her pictures are tacky and cheap looking anyway. A yearbook isn't a place to submit modeling photos anyway she could always just send those out. You can look sexy and sophisticated without looking like a cheap tart.

[Jenni Matsuo]

11:24 PM on 01/18/2012

If she wants to be a dancer or model that is all well and good. I will also defend her right in general to freedom of expression. However a high school yearbook is not the appropriate format to flash her stuff. Let her do it on YouTube or something similar. If she wants to champion a cause then addressing problems of war, poverty, or corporate greed are better issues that deserve attention. To protest a censorship on a high yearbook, I say no. The committee is in the right to set their standards for the sake of the students and the community. Let her learn to respect the rights and sensibilites of other people.

[aphextwin07]

04:31 PM on 01/17/2012

is that her pronstar name?

[dymentia629]

03:29 PM on 01/17/2012

I wish u nothing but happiness in ur future career as a call girl.