Juashaunna Kelly is a senior in high school and an accomplished distance runner on her school’s track and field team.  She also is a Muslim.  So, she has a modified uniform that she wears when she competes, with a hood concealing her hair, long sleeves, and full leg coverings.  Still, she excels in her sport. 

She recently was disqualified from an invitational meet in Montgomery County, Maryland because her track uniform did not meet stated specifications.  So, this young lady who balances her faith commitments with her youthful exuberance for physical activity was told she could not join the other runners in the meet. 

A couple of days later, she was allowed to wear her uniform in another meet, this one in the District of Columbia, and she surpassed her previous best times in three running events, winning two of them and finishing second in the other.   

Coaches from other schools see no advantage for Juashaunna when she wears her unique uniform, but I suppose rules are rules, aren’t they? It sure makes things easier when everyone has to be the same – at least for those who make the rules.   

After Juashaunna ran so well at the meet in which she was allowed to be herself and compete, she remarked, “All the talk put a little pressure on me to go out and perform.”   

Good for you Juashaunna!  You keep it up and show people that their attempts to impose limitations on you are not going to work.