By: Mikayla Mckernan

There recently was a controversy regarding the dress and hairstyle of an eight-year-old girl at Timberlake Christian School in Timberlake, Virginia. Sunnie Kahle was informed by her principal that TCS was not “the best place for Sunnie’s future education.” It is stated in a letter sent home to Sunnie’s grandparents that she is not girly enough for the Christian school. Sunnie has very short hair for an eight-year-old, and it looks like what would be called a pixie haircut. Sunnie likes to play outside while wearing jeans and large T-shirts with sneakers. She plays in the mud and plays ball. However, the principal of TCS has suggested taking Sunnie from her school because students have said they have a difficult time telling whether she is a girl or a boy, as well as classroom disturbances. She is considered not feminine enough to attend the school, even if she is a good student. Her grandparents have removed Sunnie from TCS because of this. Additionally the principal wrote, “We believe that unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education.” Sunnie does understand that she is, in fact, a member of the female gender. Sunnie’s grandparents, who have adopted her, are extremely upset by this letter concerning their granddaughter. Sunnie’s grandmother, Doris, is shocked that anyone would discriminate a child as young as her granddaughter. To tell a child they can’t wear pants and have to wear pink and have their hair long and full of bows is unthinkable to Doris and her husband. They refuse to change who their granddaughter is based on the thoughts of one woman, the principal. However, the codes of conduct do state that enrollment for students who live in, condone, or support “sexual immorality; practicing homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity; promoting such practices; or otherwise having the inability to support the moral principles of the school.” Sunnie has indicated no behavior towards homosexuality, but only exhibits the usual behavior of an extreme tomboy.