Shingle Springs, El Dorado County, Calif. — A long‐standing Ponderosa High School tradition of displaying senior athlete banners nearly came to a halt for the water polo team. What seemed like a routine recognition of senior players sparked contention when school officials initially refused to allow banners showing students in water polo uniforms, citing dress‐code concerns.
Ponderosa is one of few schools where swim/water polo apparel meets NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) standards. CBS13 confirmed that the uniforms in question comply with NFHS rules.
Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs reversed its decision to block senior water polo banners after parents and students protested the school’s characterization of the athletes’ uniforms as “inappropriate.” The dispute began when Principal Jeremy Hunt said the photos in question—students wearing swimsuits or Speedos—couldn’t be displayed. After community backlash and media involvement, the district determined the banners were “appropriate and consistent with past practice.” Still, concerns remain over the language used to describe the uniform, and stakeholders are pushing for a permanent policy to prevent similar issues.
-
Students & Parents: Water polo athletes and their families argued that the uniform is a regulation compression garment and that no other sport’s uniform is similarly restricted. “A water polo suit is a double line suit, it is a compression garment,” said parent Brandy Kollenborn. “These actually show a lot less than a lot of the sporting uniforms that some other teams wear. Although I never think this should be about what an athlete looks like in their uniform.”
-
Principal Jeremy Hunt: Maintained that photos with Speedos or bathing suits are inappropriate for banners.
-
El Dorado Union High School District: Initially supported site administration’s decision, then reversed course, stating that banners are acceptable and consistent with past practice.
Key Facts & Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 2025 | Parents alert school to the decision: principal Jeremy Hunt emails that photos showing students in swimsuits or Speedos won’t be sanctioned. |
| Shortly after | Students protest — wearing shirts with slogans like “This Is My Uniform” and “Don’t Shame My Sport”; banners hung from cars; parents escalate outreach. |
| 2 days later | El Dorado Union High School District reviews decision. New statement: banners are “appropriate and consistent with past practice.” |
The reversal allowed the water polo banners to be displayed. However, parents say the school’s statement still calls the uniforms themselves “inappropriate,” leaving them feeling both vindicated and frustrated.
Families plan to bring the matter to the next school board meeting to push for a formal policy ensuring equal treatment for all sports programs.
