Reader: Sydney Spies photo shouldn't appear in yearbook's paid section if editors reject it

By Michael Roberts Tue., Jan. 10 2012 at 10:27 AM

Sydney Spies.

Durango High's Sydney Spies appeared on the Today show yesterday to protest the decision to ban her sexy photo from the school's yearbook. Our post sharing her take inspired plenty of readers to weigh in as well, with one seeing a contradiction in the policy that would allow the shot's publication if Spies pays $300 for the privilege.

Brian Melton writes:

I'm not for her, or her mother or trying to pimp out a career in the "modeling" business by placing those pictures in the yearbook.
However... doesn't anyone find it odd that the school would allow her (or anyone else for that matter) to publish smutty pictures of themselves in a $300 ad in the back of the book? Either tell her she can't have those pictures in the yearbook or let her have them. But take a side. Don't tell her she can't unless she pays you for the privilege.

If I was in high school there, I'd probably buy a $300 ad to advertize my basement medical marijuana operation.

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Tags:

Durango High School, sexy yearbook photo, Sydney Spies, Today show

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chiclioness

The picture should have been published in the yearbook. The picture is appropriate for the yearbook. The picture was not done for advertising.

BetweenTheLines

No, I don't find it odd. A yearbook is a commemoration of your time and activities spent while in High School. A record. A history. And apparently awards are given for the recording of this history. Now while this photo may arguably be called a "history" of what this girl looked like at the time, did she really dress that way at school? No, she didn't. Because she would have been sent home for violating the dress code. She and her mom tried to (legally) bootstrap the school's dress code to the yearbook denying her publication of her modeling career. And, of course, no lawyer would take the case. But, as usual and regardless of the legal merit, the media frothed over it.

So she offered these photos to advertise herself; to gain notoriety, boost her modeling career, whatever. And it worked. The photos are an advertisement and continued publication continues to advertise. The yearbook staff simply received income for publishing the advertisement, just like Westword (site hits) or the Today Show (viewership increases advertising income) does by perpetuating this girl's advertisement.

Think of it this way. Westword doesn't have a headline: "Hot Chicks in Thongs Waiting to Massage You." But turn to the back page, and I'm sure you'll see that someone paid for the privilege to print that.

Take a side Westword! Take a side!