As the Twin Towers collapsed at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001, students across the country watched the disaster in their classrooms class. Students and teachers cried while others looked on in disbelief. Later, on March 19, 2003, President George W. Bush announced that the United States would invade Iraq. Enthusiastic students began enlisting in the armed forces and flaunting their duties by proudly wearing their military uniforms to school. What if a principal or teacher suspended them because they refused to display such a powerful message? A principal and other school authorities have the questionable ability to restrict what students say, do, and/or even think. From the first day of kindergarten until the day of graduation, there are rules that students must follow. Some rules and regulations are necessary to avoid chaos, but when do restrictions in schools prevent academics from conveying their meaningful ideas and positions? Just like these proud new soldiers, other young adults who express their positions in politics should not be confined. Students across the United States have the right to exercise their rights and freedom of expression in their schools. Throughout American history, schools have consistently prevented students from expressing themselves. It was until the 20th century that people began to question the ambiguity of researchers' boundaries. Monumental court cases such as West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette showed that saluting the American flag conflicted with some students' religion. Rights and freedoms are the foundation of America and should not be harshly censored in public schools. In Article IV, Section 2, paragraph 1 of the United States Constitution, the do...... middle of paper ......'s Guide to the US Constitution. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1980. 64.3. Pascoe, Elaine. “Discourse in schools”. Freedom of Speech: The right to express oneself in America. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook, 1992. 94-96.4. Witt, elder. “Religion and Public Schools.” The Supreme Court and individual rights. 2nd ed. Flight. 1. Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, 1988.5. Lea, Farish. “An establishment of religion.” The first amendment. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow, 1996. 706. Leah, Farish. “An establishment of religion.” The first amendment. Berkeley Heights, New Jersey: Enslow, 1996. 55.7. "oligarchy." Def. 1. The new Merriam-Webster dictionary for BIG FEATURES users. Merriam-Webster ed. 1989. N. pag.8. Pascoe, Elaine. “Discourse in schools”. Freedom of Speech: The right to express oneself in America. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook, 1992. 96.