Graduation at Lehighton Area High School may look slightly different this year.

Bucking the recent tradition of girls wearing a white cap and gown while the boys wear maroon, Class of 2023 graduates will have their choice of one or the other no matter their sex.

Giving the choice to students comes in the wake of much commentary in the community after Superintendent Dr. Christina Fish suggested everyone wear maroon to avoid potential legal trouble down the road.

“I was trying to be proactive,” Fish said. “I think it was going to become a legal issue if we didn’t address it. Giving a choice to students, we are able to move forward. But mandating all girls wear white and all boys wear maroon is a potential Title IX lawsuit. We need to protect the rights of all students.”

While the school board was not directly consulted on the change in color scheme, the issue hit their table during a workshop meeting Monday night.

“I think the topic was bringing out a darker side in some folks,” board president Joy Beers said. “The other thing we’re trying to do right now in the district is not disrupt people on particular categories where we don’t have to create disruption.”

School board members agreed that giving a choice may be the better solution than having all students wear maroon.

“I’m sure that initial decision was made with the best of intentions,” director Nathan Foeller said. “Unity is a goal and something we celebrate in the district, I just don’t know that uniformity is always the way to do that. A big part of what builds a strong community is that our differences can be heard, understood and tolerated.”

Beers said Monday she thinks most students will stick with tradition.

“At least the choice lies with them,” she said.