"What?

A bola tie is not a tie?

The official neckwear of Arizona is not a tie. Huh?

Next they'll be saying ignorance is bliss.

By now, you've probably heard. A high school in Charles County, Md. withheld a diploma from a graduate because he wore a braided bola tie under his graduation gown.

The black bola tie with a silver-and-onyx clasp was not considered "acceptable" by school administrators. The youth, Thomas Benya, wanted to honor his Cherokee background by wearing the tie."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Tie-died in Maryland (The Arizona Republic 6/16)

Related Stories:
Campbell calls school 'uptight' in bolo-diploma flap (6/13)
Native student denied diploma after wearing bolo tie (6/10)