Almost by definition, teenagers rebel against authority and test rules whenever possible. While they may seem upset when they’re punished, deep down they know they did something they weren’t supposed to. But what happens when they’re punished for a rule that was never enforced?

Andrew Jones was a graduating senior at Amite High School in Amite, LA. Actually, he was the valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, according to WWLTV. Yet, he wasn’t able to walk in his graduation.

Jones reportedly broke a school rule by having facial hair, he sported a beard and mustache, on graduation day. School officials claim they told Jones and 13 other graduates that they wouldn’t be allowed to walk if they didn’t shave; Jones was the only one that refused to comply. As a result, Amite High School’s valedictorian had to turn in his cap and gown and missed his own graduation.

“It don’t make sense, every day of school I went with it, even more, I did shave,” Jones said to WWLTV, “I had like sides and everything, but I shaved that for graduation.”

The school’s superintendent reportedly refused to comment on the situation outside of saying that he’d be meeting with school officials to make sure the rule would be enforced during all times of the year.

“What was the real issue that he couldn’t walk with his class?” said Sabrina Davis, Jones’ aunt. “He was top of his class, you know, that moment was the most important moment of his life.”

“For a young man that talented, and very academic, to hold a 4.0 and still manage to be a father to his child, the sky’s the limit to me,” she continued.

Fortunately, Jones is headed to college with both an academic and athletic scholarship for football with big plans for the future.

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