Story on Pregnant Valedictorian Doesn’t Make Grade

A Texas principal has vetoed a student newspaper article about a high school valedictorian who is five months pregnant with her second child. Chester Smith, principal of Jack Yates High School in Houston, said he refused to allow publication of the article about Carrie Mae Dixon, 17, because it was too personal. The article documents Carrie Mae’s troubled personal life and scholastic achievements. She is a straight-A student who carries a full load of honors courses, including physics, calculus and economics. She has been awarded two scholarships and plans to study chemical engineering at the University of Houston after graduation. She has been shuffled among relatives since her mother died and her stepfather deserted her and eight brothers and sisters. She studies between two and five hours a night and keeps her 18-month-old daughter, Terrisha KeAndrea, occupied with paper and pencil. “She writes while I write,” Carrie Mae said. Because of her pregnancy, Carrie Mae said she is worried that school officials will bar her from delivering the valedictory address on graduation night, June 10. But Supt. Joan Raymond said Carrie Mae will be allowed to speak and participate in any graduation activity.

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