High School Expels Student Over Topless Photos

By Margaret Lyons in News on Oct 3, 2007 11:39PM

Hey, teenagers: Avoid nude digital photos. Don't pose for 'em, don't take 'em. Just like nothing good happens after 2 a.m., nothing good happens when you snap nudie pics.

Pierre Steel, 15, is learning this lesson the really hard way: He was expelled from Loyola Academy after showing some of his football teammates topless photos he took of his girlfriend. Steel's father, Ray Washington, told the ST that he thinks Steel's expulsion was racially motivated. Steel is black, the girl is white, and the friend whose house the photo was snapped in is also white, as is 82 percent of Loyola's student body. And now, the Millions More Movement and the Nation of Islam have scheduled a rally supporting Steel at the school tomorrow afternoon. We called Millions More HQ to confirm details and were told that no firm info would be available until tomorrow morning, and even then only through Final Call.

Loyola Academy posted this statement on their site:

An article appeared in the Sun Times this morning concerning a student who was recently asked to leave Loyola Academy. The article stated a rally will be held by the Millions More Movement and the Nation of Islam tomorrow afternoon, Thursday, in support of this student. At this time, after some inquiry, we have been unable to confirm that the rally will be held. Nonetheless, we want to be prepared and communicate with our families. Loyola has consulted with the Wilmette Police to make certain appropriate precautions are taken to maintain a safe environment for our students.

School will be held as usual tomorrow. The situation involving this student is unfortunate and has required Loyola to make a decision based on its values and stated policies. Some people have criticized and challenged these values and policies in this situation. We continue to stand by the values which have served Loyola Academy since 1909.

The school also says that the girl didn't consent to having her photo taken. Washington says, "Pierre was wrong, most definitely, but not expulsion wrong."