Williston has changed its dress code to only allow official school hoodies.
Dean of Students David Koritkoski announced that in the 2024-25 academic year, only official Williston hoodies would be allowed. This change comes after a relaxing of the dress code for 2023-24 academic year, during which students were allowed to wear any hoodie they wanted to.
Prior to the 2023-24 academic year, hoodies were completely prohibited. However, many students broke this rule. As a result, the policy regarding hoodies was changed to allow any hoody, as long as they did not contain inappropriate language. This change was rolled back during the summer of 2024.
Four-year senior Kiran Misra understands the change but finds it a bit unnecessary.
“I understand why the distinction is being made, like why they’re shifting from all hoodies to just Williston gear,” he said. “But I think it’s a little unnecessary.”
Kiran says teachers were not concerned about hoodies last year, which makes him wonder if the change was really necessary.
“I didn’t hear a lot of complaining from teachers last year about hoodies,” Kiran said. “I think if I heard more teachers complaining, ‘Oh kids are just wearing hoodies’ then maybe I would understand the restriction more, but I didn’t hear any of that.”
A dress code has been a part of Williston for a very long time. Naturally, it has changed over the years to adapt to the standards of the day. Today, the dress code is fairly relaxed compared to other NEPSAC schools, such as Deerfield Academy, which requires students to be in full formal clothing every day. The fact that hoodies were permitted in the first place is surprising given how casual they are.
For six-year senior Nevin Conroy, the new rule about hoodies did not come as a surprise.
“I mean it makes sense,” he said. “To me, the dress code is very relaxed, so I’m honestly surprised they even had hoodies in there, and it makes sense that they want kids wearing Williston hoodies.”
The shift in policy on hoodies, while somewhat unpopular among students, could be beneficial to the school’s admissions. When new students are touring, something which primarily happens in the fall and spring, the time of year when hoodies are worn more regularly, they are likely to see current students wearing them.
Kiran recalled a tour he gave last year in which dress code played a role in how current students were seen.
“When you’re touring people I think it’s good for them to see people wearing your school’s gear,” he said. “And then you can have all the different variations, all of the team hoodies.”
Whether they support the change or not, Williston students will now be expected to only wear official school hoodies rather than hoodies with non-Williston graphics. While students have lost some freedom regarding the way they dress, there is still a way for them to wear comfortable clothing during the academic day.
