Ludlowe seniors to vote for 1 gown or 2

Students exit Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday, April 30, 2015. Seniors will vote on Friday on whether both sexes will wear blue caps and gowns, or the traditional white for girls and blue for boys, at this year's graduation ceremony. less Students exit Fairfield Ludlowe High School in Fairfield, Conn. on Thursday, April 30, 2015. Seniors will vote on Friday on whether both sexes will wear blue caps and gowns, or the traditional white for girls ... more Photo: Brian A. Pounds Buy photo Photo: Brian A. Pounds Image 1 of / 86 Caption Close Ludlowe seniors to vote for 1 gown or 2 1 / 86 Back to Gallery

FAIRFIELD -- The graduation tradition at Fairfield Ludlowe High School has long been boys in blue gowns and each presented with a tie, girls in white, presented with a rose.

It's a tradition that may die hard.

The 396 members of the senior class are scheduled to vote Friday on whether to stick with gender-specific caps and gowns or to go with blue for everyone.

The possibility of a single-color was broached this week -- less than two weeks after notices went home telling parents there would be two colors -- by school Headmaster Greg C. Hatzis.

He said the aim was to strike a tone of class unity.

The possibility of a change has led some to surmise that someone raised questions about gender equity.

"Well, we've heard a couple of different things," said Brett Dammeyer, 18, a Fairfield Ludlowe senior. "First was that a certain group of kids all wanted to wear the same kind of robes for gender equality. They didn't want to single anyone out."

Some students reportedly took issue with boys and girls wearing different gowns. At a senior meeting Thursday, however, Hatzis told students that was just a rumor.

"With so many things that can divide us, the visual sight of all students united as they march in front of parents and loved ones on the last day of their high school could be powerful," Hatzis said later in an email. "Many high schools in the area use a single color, as do almost all colleges."

Even so, after getting some pushback from students -- and some parents -- Hatzis decided to let the graduating class decide.

Senior April Cooke said she will cast her vote for tradition.

"For as long as I remember, girls wear white and guys wear blue," said Cooke. "I don't really agree with the fact they are making it all one gender color. I completely think there should be gender equality, but I also think we as students should have a choice."

Charlotte Blatt, 17, said, "Either way would be great, but I think seeing blue and white on the field together looks good."

She will vote to keep it that way, she said.

So will Dammeyer, he said.

"Being a boy, I was going to wear blue anyway," he said, "but I know a lot of the girls were upset about (the possible change to all blue gowns), and so because of that I would rather have everyone be happy."

Another student, Hillary, who didn't give her last name, said she wasn't really sure what the fuss was all about.

"It's just something you wear for one day," she said.