veiled4allah: a difficult choice

Mona Elgohail is a Muslim teen who has excelled academically throughout her elementary and middle school years. She has a love of the ocean, marine biology and science. "She was an excellent student - not just academically - she was well rounded. She was a good leader who made a wonderful contribution to the student body," said Dr. Martha Wallauer, principal and superintendent at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. When she was in 5th grade, her teacher, Kevin Bolger, told her about the program at M.A.S.T. The Marine Academy of Science and Technology, located at Sandy Hook is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD) which administers the special vocational high schools in the County, including: High Technology High School, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Communications High School, and M.A.S.T. Slots at the schools are hard to come by. Entry is very competitive.

Mona was an 8th grade honors student at Henry Hudson seeking a greater challenge so she took the entry exam for M.A.S.T in February 2003. She was accepted and attended an information session at the school in May. She also attended a freshman picnic in June, but it wasn't until August when the new students were issued their uniforms that anyone brought up the topic of her scarf, according to Mona's mother, Nemera Elgohail...

...An integral component of the program at M.A.S.T. is participation in the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). The program fulfills the state's physical education and health requirements for high school students. The program requires students to wear uniforms twice a week. The uniforms are supplied by the U.S. Navy at no cost to the students...

...When uniforms were handed out at the school in August and the issue of the scarf came up, the school principal, Dr. Paul Christopher, said "we'll work something out" according to Mrs. Elgohail.

Mona says that she was excited about wearing the uniform. And she was glad to be a part of M.A.S.T.

After classes began, Mona and her parents, Emad and Nemera Elgohair, met with Dr. Christopher and 1st Sergeant Ronnie Nelson (USMC Ret.), Associate Naval Science Instructor, to discuss alternatives. It was suggested that Mona might wear a larger cap and a bandana to hide her hair. The educators even suggested a wig.

The family searched shops in North Jersey but were unable to find a suitable bandana so they purchased material and fashioned their own. The bandana solution was not acceptable, however, because it would be still visible when wearing the uniform.

Dr. Christopher said "I tried to do everything to meet her needs based on her religion.." He shared with Mona and her parents the regulations from the Department of the Navy. "There is nothing in the regs to provide leeway for her religious garb."

The Elgohail's also met with Dr. Brian McAndrew, Superintendent of Schools for MCVSD. Dr. McAndrew said he explained that the protocol that NJROTC uses comes from the U.S. Department of the Navy. "If you want to wear a military uniform you must wear it according to the protocols."

Dr. McAndrew noted that military and veterans hold great respect for the uniform and to alter it would not be welcomed by them.

He said the Navy regulations would permit a yarmulke, a skullcap worn by Jewish men and boys, especially those adhering to Orthodox or Conservative Judaism, to be worn under the NJROTC uniform cap...

...Mona says she really wishes it could have worked out at M.A.S.T. She really loves marine biology, and although she was offered a slot at another MCVSD school, she says it just wouldn't offer the same classes as M.A.S.T.

She started this week as a freshman at Middletown High School South, where she is taking honors classes.