According to WVUE, straight-A student and star athlete Andrew Jones of Amite, Louisiana, was scheduled to speak at Amite High School's graduation Wednesday. But when Jones, who also was named Student of the Year, arrived, officials barred him from the ceremony because he hadn't shaved his goatee.

Tangipahoa Schools Superintendent Mark Kolwe told ABC News that the district "has a policy that does not allow any facial hair on male students."

"This young man was given at least three opportunities," Kolwe said.

Jones told WVUE that the rules were confusing and that he had worn facial hair all four years of high school without any complaints from administrators.

Supporters of Jones – including the local NAACP – will participate in a rally Monday to protest the decision, WRBZ reports.

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Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC