In a startling display of school overreach, a Southern California mom is speaking out after her 13-year-old son was expelled from his middle school for being “too patriotic.” Brandon Garrett’s passion for his country sparked controversy, leading to an unsettling dispute with Saint Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach.
On May 16, young Jimmy Heyward was set to deliver a speech to his classmates as part of his campaign for Commissioner of School Spirit and Patriotism. However, the school administration found his message too intense and asked him to tone down references to patriotism and remove the word “hate” when referring to people who “hate” America.
“My love for America is my motivation for running for Commissioner of Patriotism and School Spirit,” Jimmy’s speech read. “It is my honor to live in this country. Sadly, some people take their citizenship for granted, whether it is disrespecting the people who protect us or eating nachos during the national anthem at sporting events.”
Jimmy’s mother, Hattie Ruggles, confirmed that while they removed the word “hate,” they refused to omit references to patriotism. “He decided not to take the patriotism part out because that’s the position he’s running for, and his dad and I both agreed it should stay in,” Hattie stated. “We read it and we’re like, yeah, that sounds great.”
Saint Bonaventure Catholic School saw it differently. The principal barred Jimmy from speaking and later expelled him, along with his younger siblings, citing “serious violations of the Christian Code of Conduct.” Hattie received a letter signed by the school’s parish pastor, which she shared on Facebook, that accused her family of launching a “smear campaign” against the administration, referring to a Change.org petition Hattie started to remove the principal.
“It’s not a smear campaign when you’re telling the truth about what happened to your child,” Hattie argued, standing firm in her defense of her son.
The letter also accused the family of “disparaging remarks” and “speaking to administration in a way that is not in line with our expectations for respectful and courteous communication,” adding that their actions negatively impacted the school community.
Hattie contends that Jimmy’s patriotic message and campaign style, which included posters and a hat mimicking the Trump campaign’s “Make America Great Again” slogan, were met with criticism and bias. “I think if it was flipped and had he mimicked Joe Biden’s campaign and used his slogan, it would have been fine,” she speculated.
Interestingly, the principal involved in the incident will not be returning next year, though the school has not confirmed if this is related to the controversy.
“As a matter of campus policy, we do not comment on private student or family matters. However, St. Bonaventure Catholic School remains committed to the principles outlined in our Christian Code of Conduct and Parent Handbook,” the school told The Post. “To that end, we expect all parents and students to uphold these standards, which are crucial to developing a respectful and supportive school community for all.”
Since sharing her story on social media, Hattie has received overwhelming support from the local community. “So many parents have reached out to us and shown us support that literally blew us away,” she said.
Huntington Beach, known for its conservative values, has rallied around the Ruggles family. Now, Hattie is facing the challenge of finding a new school for her three children. Despite the upheaval, she remains proud of Jimmy’s steadfastness. “Jimmy is a patriot through and through, and we love that about him. He has been extremely into the history of his country since he was young,” she affirmed. “We’re extremely proud of our son.”
In a time when patriotic values seem to be under scrutiny, Jimmy Heyward’s story is a testament to standing firm in one’s beliefs. His dedication to expressing his love for America, despite the consequences, underscores the importance of upholding free speech and patriotic pride. The Ruggles family’s ordeal highlights a growing concern about the suppression of conservative values in educational institutions, and their resolve serves as an inspiration to many who believe in the importance of patriotism and free expression.