by Melissa Brunner

A 14-year old's nose piercing is the latest example of a young person's choice of style conflicting with a school's policies.

Ariana Iacono was suspended from her North Carolina school because her nose ring violates the school system's dress code. She says she wears it for religious reasons. Mind you, this isn't a large, obtrusive nose ring, but a tiny gemstone. Here's a link to an article about it with her picture: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_rel_piercing_church

It reminds me of the young boy a couple weeks back who was suspended over his mullet hairstyle. The school thought he should be more clean cut.

Religion or not, how much freedom should students have to express personal style? I understand schools need to have some limitations on dress, but somewhere among the short-shorts, bare backs and alocohol advertising restrictions, districts are delving into other areas. I'd be interested on your thoughts as to where the slippery slope ends.