By Jennifer Bugay
Journal Correspondent
In today’s society, people do almost anything to be accepted. Some people change what they wear, how they talk, and even who they are to be what their peers say is right. One girl from Perry does otherwise.
Beth Ann Barron has been living in Perry all of her life. Her father is a local firefighter, and her mother is a stay-at-home mother.
Barron is a junior at Perry High School and plays the flute in the marching band.
The unique thing about her, is her wardrobe. She has worn a skirt everyday since she was a little girl. Even as a member of her school marching band, where the uniform is school colored trousers.
Barron’s mother made a proper skirt to match the uniform, but her choice of uniform represents more than Perry’s marching band. It is an expression of faith.
“I am a Christian. I attend Evening Light Mission in Marshallville, Georgia,” she said. “Wearing skirts is the way I was raised. My mother does the same. The Old Testament says that women should not wear male garments. Wearing a skirt is modest, yet it shows more respect for me.”
The Evening Light Mission believes in Jesus Christ as the savior.
Granted, not all Christians follow the same path as Barron, but she made her point clear when she confirmed that the skirt does not make her who she is. The skirt does not hold her back from doing anything she wants to do.
She plays tennis like everyone else, and plays her flute in the band just as well as the other musicians.
Her personality, not her dress code, is what attracts people to her.
Beth Ann said, “I’m a normal person with dreams and ambitions.”
She plans to attend the University of Georgia after she graduates Perry High School. Her ambition is to major in literature and become a high school teacher.
“After high school, my beliefs and feelings might change. I might not want to wear skirts everyday. It might not be what God wants from me,” Barron said. “Not wearing a skirt everyday will not change my belief in God, just his purpose for me.
“Though right now in my life, the skirt is my comfort zone,” she added. “It is just how I grew up.”
Beth Ann made it clear that although her parents insist she wear skirts, it’s still her preference.
“Yes, my parents make me wear them, but I do not mind. The skirt is my choice.”
Another proud declaration of her Christian faith is her hair. Beth Ann does not cut her hair. She said she gets and occasional trim to help her hair grow, but she refuses to cut her hair short.
Her mother is the same. Beth Ann refers to the Old Testament admonition that a woman’s hair be her covering. Beth Ann is growing her hair to match her mother.
Peer pressure affects many people, but Beth Ann laughed about her appearance affecting her social life. She says that she is far from perfect. That she does fail everyday. Being able to maintain her faith in God keeps her going.
She admits that wearing a skirt everyday is sometimes hard. She is constantly tempted by what her friends wear. To fight this temptation, Beth Ann asks herself what God would want her to wear. She sticks with the skirt.
“You shouldn’t judge a person by the outside but get to know their personality instead,” Beth Ann said.
The outfit doesn’t make the Christian but in Beth Ann’s case, the Christian makes the outfit, and more importantly, declares her faith proudly.
Beth Ann stands out without effort and makes a loud declaration during a time when other Christians remain quiet.
Fashion mavens should be saying, “You go, girl!”
