Bloomington North apologizes to student over National Anthem flap

[Kevin]

Bloomington North apologizes to student over National Anthem flap

Bloomington - An Indiana high school is taking action after one of its students was criticized for the way she sang the National Anthem at a home basketball game.

On the basketball court, Shai Warfield-Cross plays her way. And now before sporting events at Bloomington North, she can sing her way too.

"I'm glad they understand that I did nothing wrong and that was my whole goal. That was the reason why we pushed so hard," said the North sophomore.

Bloomington North High School formally apologized to the 16-year-old and her family about criticism of her rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner.

"Basically they just said they were wrong, they handled the whole situation wrong," said Shai's father, Derrick Cross.

"They told us that if they could go back in time, they would've handled the situation in an entirely different manner," said Shai's stepmother, Aurora Marin.

The controversy started after Friday night's home game against Martinsville.

The school told Shai they received complaints that her version of the anthem was unrecognizable and disrespectful to members of the military.

They told her if she wanted to perform it again it had to be sung in a "traditional" way, not in "that way."

But Shai's family said that denied her diversity and artistic expression in a song that symbolizes independence. After a nearly-two hour meeting Thursday, school leaders agreed.

"Hopefully North and the administration really got a lesson in terms of what diversity really means," Marin said.

The family learned there was just one written complaint last Friday, along with a few by phone and face-to-face.

Besides the school apology, they also want to see that complaint, "hoping that there really wasn't very specific racial connotations," Marin said.

School leaders pledged to address insensitive language and better recognize students' heritage.

When Shai performs again, school staff will introduce her, supporting the song "her" way.

"I will give it my all, my way," Shai said

[John O]

If she's not singing it the traditional way, then she is not singing the national anthem. There are notes written down on the music sheet for a reason.