Two laps and a pair of UGGs – Olivia Taylor runs her way into Manogue history.
Senior Olivia Taylor crushed administration’s challenge to complete two laps around the track in under 4 minutes and 45 seconds, abolishing the dress code policy that prohibited students from wearing UGG Tasmans. Her victory has not only changed the dress code for all students, but also united the Manogue community and paved the way for future, positive reforms.
Weeks prior, Olivia received a citation for violating the dress code by wearing her Tasmans to school. After challenging the policy with the argument that the shoes meet the safety criteria of closed toes and backs, the school administration responded with the statement that “If you needed to run during a state of emergency, the shoes would slip off the back of your feet.”
“I told the admin that I could run on the track to prove to them that Tasmans were a reliable shoe,” states Olivia, a junior. “I was mostly kidding, and I didn’t know they would actually come up with a way for me to do it!”
On Wednesday, October 29th, Manogue students gathered around the track to witness Olivia successfully complete the challenge. Students ran behind her in support of her final lap, erupting in cheers as she crossed the finish line. A win for Olivia was a win for all tasmin wearers!
The administration’s decision to empower Olivia to create positive change is an excellent model for effective reform and student involvement – a practice that I hope to see continued. Thanks to Manogue’s exceptional leadership team, students are being given a voice to create real, lasting change. When students are given the chance to take enacting change into their own hands, they grow into confident and capable leaders.
Manogue students uniting to support Olivia Taylor in her spirited fight for UGG Tasmans perfectly embodies the special, energetic culture that defines Manogue. As Manogue’s Student Body President, I’m truly grateful to see this spirit emerging in our community. This is what Manogue is all about: having fun, being involved, and doing it together.
