When a teenage-mom graduated high school, she wanted to include her son in her yearbook photo, but the school said no.
According to a report by Fox13, a North Carolina high school allowed seniors to include a prop in their yearbook picture that represents an achievement, or a symbol of who they are.
From pets to sporting items, students chose items that meant something to them; 17-year-old Caitlin Tiller, chose her son, Leelin.
“He helped me get to where I am today,” said Tiller. “I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.”
Leelin was born in April of 2012 and Tiller chose to stay in school and even graduated early. She then started college in January and works a part-time job in addition to taking care of her son.
Two days before the yearbook was to be printed, Tiller says the school made a decision to remove her photograph- saying it promoted teen pregnancy. Tiller believes the picture promotes responsibility and love.
Students from the high school say there were no rules or requirements for the props used in the seniors’ photographs.
The school did not comment on why the picture was pulled, except that the yearbook should be all about the student and not an extension of a student’s family.
“She took responsibility,” said Karen Morgan, Tiller’s mom. “They should be proud that the students are willing to stay in school to graduate and make something of themselves and not try and hide it.”
Tiller had an opportunity to submit another photograph to the yearbook, but chose not to. She said if the school isn’t proud of her achievements, she does not want to be included in the yearbook.
