He was the top of his class at Amite High School, but was stunned to learn at graduation Wednesday night that he wouldn’t be able to take the stage. He and his family are angry, but the schools superintendent said the rules regarding facial hair stand.

Andrew Jones never made anything less than an “A” his entire four years at Amite High School. …

Jones proudly donned his cap and gown Wednesday night and headed to a the SLU assembly center to take his spot on the stage. The program even had his name on it as Student of the Year. But school officials took his cap and gown away from him and barred him from the stage. Jones and a group of students were told they had to shave first. Jones shaved the sides, but chose not to shave his goatee. …

For Jones, the graduation night rules were especially confusing since he said no one made an issue of his facial hair during the entire regular school year.