It’s nice not to have to worry about the bra strap police. In middle school we were fugitives, running from the law, tying sweaters around our shoulders, doing our best to avoid being seen. Our punishment? The dreaded XXL t-shirt. When low rise jeans came into fashion, we kept one hand constantly on our shirt so it would not inch up. Guys did not have to forfeit their style entirely, but did have to give up their beloved hats and boxers-hanging-out-of-jeans style.

Thankfully, Walter Johnson is a whole new scene. As I walk through the hallways, I see everything from tube tops matched with miniskirts to pajamas and oversized sweat shirts. We are free at last! We can finally wear what we please without getting “arrested.”

The one-sentence dress code policy statement in the student planner reads, “Dress and grooming are up to the student, except when dress and grooming are such that they disrupt class activity, violate health and safety standards, or are considered inappropriate,”.

Administrators seem to agree with the current policy, feeling that it allows for people to be themselves but restricts offensive clothing. When asked how many students she has had to approach about their dress, Assistant Principal Carol Goddard said, “I don’t [even] average one in a day.”

The dress code policy gets an adequate amount of approval from staff and students. Assistant Principal Chris Merrill said, “I do not have to discipline many kids, and most [students] are cooperative when I do.”

Sophomore Margaret Suharev said, “Even if we have a dress code that I'm not aware of, as far as I know we're given enough freedom to wear what we want.”

I remember back in the day when I attended Tilden Middle School. It was sixth grade. I had just received a brand new glittery pink outfit from -gasp- Limited Too. I couldn’t wait to wear it. While raising my hand in reading class, my midriff just happened to be showing about a quarter inch. Scandalous, I know. That is when the teacher walking by thought, and she dragged me out of class to the principal’s office where they gave me a heinous beige t-shirt from the lost and found to wear for the day.

Things have certainly changed in regards to the freedom to dress as we please. The standards we are held to at WJ allow for self expression to the fullest while keeping offense at a minimum. Finally, the “police” are no longer breathing down our exposed necks.