School Takes Modesty Into Their Own Hands

Wasatch High School students have stated that their school yearbook took modesty standards to another level and digitally altered photos, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The school altered the photos for some of the students to have longer sleeves and higher necklines. The alterations were done without the students’ knowledge and done inconsistently. Two young women wore an identical vest, one was photoshopped to have a shirt underneath, covering her shoulders, but the other was left untouched.

None of the photographs for the boys have been digitally altered.

District officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday. It is unclear if the yearbook staff chose to make the edits, or if they were directed to by school officials, but the yearbook has already been printed and cannot be changed.

Two sophomores, Kimberly Montoya and Shelby Baum, say that they have worn their tops many times to school without reprimand. They feel the actions of the yearbook go above and beyond in “shaming” them. “It’s all eyes on you,” says Montoya.

The topic of modesty comes up a lot in Mormon culture. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a standard of modesty that encourages members to respect themselves and others. However, many members disagree on how best to carry it out.

In the comments below tell us what you think. Did the school go to far to enforce their modesty standards? How should schools tackle modesty standards?

Read the rest of the story and see the before and after pictures at The Salt Lake Tribune.