Cramerton Christian Academy in Gastonia, North Carolina has expelled a student for performing music at venues that serve alcohol. Bailey Griggs, a rising senior at the school, has played stages across the Charlotte area, but an email sent to her mother by the academy stated that her performances in such environments violate school policy. According to the email obtained by WRAL, "attending nightclubs or bars and attending gatherings with drugs or alcohol present indicated the school was no longer a fit for Bailey’s goals."

Griggs, known for her talent and passion for music, expressed her disappointment, telling Fox Carolina, "We were just so excited to, you know, just do all the small things that you know seniors do, especially get like tank tops with ‘senior’ on it." The unforeseen expulsion has stripped her of the quintessential high school experiences she had been anticipating. She explicitly pointed out her professional demeanor at these venues, stating "I’m the performer, and I’m not drinking. I’m underage."

Her mother, Jennifer Griggs, shared with WRAL that the school's handbook does mention prohibitions on gathering in places where alcohol and drugs are present, but she contends that "She’s not gathering, she’s doing her job."

The decision by administrators has prompted dialogue on the balance between upholding institutional policies and supporting a student's extracurricular achievements and career development. Griggs' recent performances include a show at Goldie’s in June, highlighting the intersection of her education and burgeoning career in music. Amidst the controversy, the private school's firm stance on their policies suggests an unyielding adherence to their written codes, as mentioned in an email cited by WTOK, "her attending night clubs or bars and gatherings with alcohol or drugs present indicates the school is no longer a good fit for Bailey Griggs’ goals."