Article by Phoenix writer Grace Andino ’25:
In a school where blazer colors, niches, and interests differ, there is a single thread that is woven throughout the Kellenberg student body: uniforms. Regardless if one is a teacher, student, or staff member, everyone conforms to a certain standard of clothing. Not only prevalent in school, uniforms are also worn in sports and workplaces. For many, uniforms are intertwined in daily living.
Uniforms rise above the differences in others while still allowing means for self expression, creating a diversified yet whole environment. Though many have their own preconceived notions about them, uniforms have many unnoticeable social and psychological benefits.
In a study by the University of Nevada, researchers weighed the opinions of three middle schools in the Washoe County School District. Out of 1,350 students surveyed, 54% of students strongly agreed that uniforms still allowed them to express themselves, and 42% of students worried less about how others look. Overall, many professionals and students agree on the confidence factor that comes with wearing a uniform.
Besides the physical appearance, uniforms provide psychological comfort for many. In a world where many teenagers and children are exposed to internet fads, students are under pressure to look a certain way to fit in. Uniforms provide a sense of equality and community in a school, allowing students to feel as if they belong with their peers. School uniforms reduce some of the anxieties caused by social media because it emphasizes wholeness and acceptance with others around them.
Depending on the environment, many uniforms also serve as a reminder that a person belongs to a larger community. A uniform in many instances instills a sense of discipline and pride in the wearer, being an example for who or what they represent. From a basketball jersey to lab coat, a certain apparel can set you apart from others and reveal an unknown aspect of your personality.
Mr. Lyons, Guidance Counselor and Basketball coach at Kellenberg, shares,”School uniforms help foster the identity of a community. The uniform allows students to focus on academic achievements rather than the ever evolving fashion trends. Wearing a uniform appropriately creates pride, maturity, and self respect.”
Known as the “school that never sleeps”, Kellenberg students are always on a tight schedule, whether it includes studying, participating in extracurriculars, or being involved in outside of school commitments. The last thing one wants to worry about is what they are wearing to school the next day. A school uniform removes one more piece of distracting ‘mental clutter’ for students.
The Schoolwear Association conducted a study with students ages 13-17 to get their perception of wearing a uniform. The teenagers revealed that having consistent apparel allowed them to not worry about deciding their outfit for the next day. They also shared how uniforms promote commonality among students to take pride in their school and academics.
Alice Miller ‘25 agrees, sharing, “The extra time in the morning is very helpful. I would usually have to take time to pick out something, but the uniform is a lot quicker and allows me to focus on more important things.”
For many, uniforms allow students to concentrate on their tasks more efficiently and overall create less stress. The Schoolwear Association reported that uniforms in classrooms help students to focus more on the teacher, rather than distractions.
In agreement with this statement, uniform store distributors pride their morals around integrity and efficiency. FlynnO’Hara and Landsend serve as the uniform distributors for Kellenberg, promoting alikeness and community among the student body.
Director of Marketing at FlynnO’Hara, Charlotte Flynn, shares the company’s mission of sustainability, “We outfit 1500+ schools and over half of a million students across the country
each year. FlynnO’hara is driven to provide leading quality products to inspire students nationwide.”
While some find uniforms as simply an additive in their daily lifestyle, students like Junior Ciara Bice view it as an opportunity to profess her faith and inspire others. As a varsity swimmer, PREP teacher, and lifeguard at Long Beach, Ciara spends most of her time in a uniform of some type. For her, uniforms play a contributing factor in her performance in these roles.
“At Kellenberg, wearing a uniform is very important to me, especially when I teach religious education at PREP. The children look up to me when they see I wear a blazer and tie. I am proud to wear my uniform because it shows my hard work in my academics and extracurriculars. Outside of Kellenberg, I am also a Long Beach Lifeguard, I spend my summer biking along the boardwalk and patrolling the shore in a beach patrol shirt and whistle. To me, they symbolize more than a seasonal job—they represent a dedication to my community.”
Beyond the classroom, uniforms are an unseemingly present aspect of daily living. Many healthcare workers, armed forces, sports teams, and law enforcement agencies have a type of uniform that influences their job, representing the dedication and pride they have towards their position.
For my mother, Tyra Andino, her service as a NYPD Detective for 26 years required her to wear a uniform daily. For her, the uniform instilled a sense of dignity in her.
“The uniform I wore inspired me to serve others, and represented the authority within the communities I served. It gave me a sense of pride knowing it represents something so much bigger, an organization that aids diverse communities in many ways.”
Similar to the workforce, uniforms cause inspiration for a person to proudly represent what they stand for. For the Kellenberg community, uniforms serve as a reminder to show Mary’s love through acts of kindness, humbleness, and sodality. When one goes beyond the Kellenberg walls, the emblem of the Marianist logo is recognizable by many and tells the wearer’s mission of love and community.
As a Marianist himself, Brother Micheal Patrick shares how his habit allows him to be a professor of Mary.
“What a Marianist Brother wears is a habit, which varies from religious order to religious order. Every morning, before I leave my bedroom to celebrate Morning Prayer and Mass with the Brothers, I make sure that I am presentable for God. This continues throughout my day. I am presentable for God, for my fellow Brothers, for my students, for everyone I encounter.”
While some may believe uniforms represent a restriction of personal expression, in fact, an agreed upon dress code instills psychological and social benefits, inspires feelings of honor, inspiration, and dignity in individuals, and, most importantly, expresses the personal expression of members of a community.
