The most revealing outfit in a closet can draw as much attention as if it were the deadliest weapon as soon as it enters school.

I never knew that an outfit would not only become a verbal issue but a physical one, too. To those who find the majority of clothing at school offensive heed this warning: this story may not be appropriate for the easily offended or those with the sensitivity to the showing of any neck, shoulder, arm, midriff and or leg.

I woke up one day and chose to wear a t-shirt and jeans. The shirt was form fitting and the jeans low-rise, nothing uncommon in the school halls. At lunchtime, I was startled from behind when someone was tugging at the back of my shirt, not to get my attention, but in the attempt to pull it down to cover approximately two inches of my back.

As I turned around I was asked my grade and where my jacket was. I answered in my classroom. The faculty member continued to tug at the front of my shirt.

My issue is not the questioning of my attire but the need for physical contact. I really do not think it was necessary to stretch my shirt down or tugged at it in any way shape of form.

“I’ve had teachers tell me to put a jacket on before,” junior Tara Heeringa said. “I don’t think that’s a problem at all, but I really don’t think girls want teachers touching them and I don’t think they [teachers] should be allowed to.”

After a few weeks I came to school wearing a black v-necked tank top and again jeans. Not necessarily saying its okay, but the shirt had thick straps and can be seen on at least one girl on any given day of the week.

I’m assuming the tactic of striking from behind must be taught when training to catch clothing culprits. I was in lower E-hall just before first hour. I suddenly heard, “Young lady, you need to put some clothes on.” I answered “Okay.” I kind of laughed to myself because I could have sworn that I put clothes on before I left for school.

I felt someone pulling at my purse. My shoulder was jerked down as my purse was pulled. I turned and was told again, “Where are your clothes?” I said that I would get my jacket from my locker. I was watched until it was put on.

This time I was told I should receive a detention because I didn’t listen and that was insubordination, although I left my jacket on the remainder of the day.

“Teachers always are saying something about the way students dress,” junior Jessica Hay said. “That’s going to happen no matter what, but there’s no reason they should touch a student or their clothes.”

Yes, I understand that my action was insubordination. It may have been the teenager in me, being rebellious and not listening the first time I was told to do something.

My problem is not the issue with offensive clothing, but the need to draw a point by pulling, tugging or yanking at my personal property. I would not directly report these people because they believe they are doing their job. However, I question the fact that physical contact with students is in their job descriptions.

If I am in need of a detention, what should the consequence be for these people? Although rule number seventeen in the agenda has a harassment clause, it did not cover my individual situation. As I read on, on page 27, I found a harassment/hazing rule that only protected athletes from other athletes. I found nothing that pertained to harassment from a teacher to a student.

This is a learning environment, and should be treated as such. But when the need for physical contact is issued for an article of clothing, I lose a lot of respect for the environment I am in.