Outrage as school edits Down syndrome teen from official photo

So why did the school’s superiors choose to select the one image that didn’t feature the Down syndrome teen for its cheerleading squad’s official photo?

In a lengthy post shared on her Facebook page, Morgyn’s sister, Jordyn Poll wrote: “It’s the SAME cheer team – SAME girls, SAME photo shoot, SAME poses, but one included all team members and one did not”.

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“Unfortunately, the first one was posted on the school’s social accounts and in the school yearbook. Additionally, Morgyn’s name wasn’t even mentioned as a part of the team. She wasn’t included,” the distraught sister continued.

“She spent hours learning dances, showing up to games, and cheering on her school and friends but was left out… A choice was made on which photo to submit, a choice made MULTIPLE times and a choice that excluded Morgyn EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.”

What’s more, in the photograph Morgyn was featured in, she is not wearing the same uniform as her teammates, nor is she holding pom poms.

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Not first time Down syndrome teen was left out of school photos

“This is the second time in three years that sweet Morgyn has been left out of the yearbook. Two years ago they didn’t even include her in the class list,” Jordyn added.

Now Jordyn and her family want answers.

“We contacted the school administration this year, and the answer we got was as ignorant as the photo. To the Shoreline Junior administrator who blatantly said they didn’t know what we were expecting of them and there was nothing they could do, I hope you can take this away – you can be better and I expect you to be better,” Jordyn explained in the Facebook post.

School’s response to deleting Down syndrome teen from photo

While Jordyn says the administrators lacked compassion, the school insists on a since-deleted Facebook post, “We are continuing to look at what has occurred and why it occurred… We will continue to look at our processes to ensure this does not happen again,” according to The Salt Lake Tribune.

But friends of Morgyn’s family are demanding more be done, from reprinting the yearbook to disciplinary action.

“I would like to see a photo of all the administrators with RESIGNED next to each name. Shameful behaviour. Repugnant,” one insisted.

“There should have never been a picture taken without her”, another incredulous person wrote.

“They should reprint the whole damn yearbook,” a third demanded.

Online bullies unfairly target cheerleading squad

In a separate post, Jordyn called for her followers to support the Shoreline Junior High cheerleaders, who have become a target for online bullies, insisting they’ve been nothing but kind to her sister Morgyn.

“These girls are not the problem,” she urged.

“Please stop shaming them. They were kind, inclusive and they are Morgan’s friends. This year was hard for everyone, and the issue is not with these girls.

“The issue is with those above them, who are now working with us to make the change… many of us want change. Don’t forget to be kind in the process.”

Kidspot has contacted Jordyn Poll for comment.

This article originally appeared on Kidspot and was reproduced with permission