Local Teen Kicked Out Of Private School After Booking Event At Local Music Venue
GASTON CO., NC – A local teen has been kicked out of her private school after booking an event at a local music venue. After performing for years, her school emailed her mother saying she is no longer allowed to attend, reportedly without any conversation or warning.
Bailey Griggs has been singing since she was a little girl. “I’ve been performing professionally ever since I was ten years old,” she said.
Her mother, Jennifer Griggs, remembers first realizing her daughter’s talent when she was eight.
“We got her a karaoke machine for Christmas, and she was singing Three Wooden Crosses,” said Jennifer, “and I was like, ‘oh my gosh, she can actually sing like, what the heck?'”
Bailey has performed across the country, but she has never let the pull of stardom pull her from her school, Cramerton Christian Academy.
“I was super strict on I’m not graduating early and I want to finish this part out,” Bailey says, “because I’m never going to get it back.”
Bailey was all set to start her senior year at Cramerton Christian Academy in August, until her mom received an email from the school last week.
“I couldn’t even tell her,” Jennifer said. “I said, ‘I’m just going to let you read the e-mail.'”
After Bailey booked a performance at Charlotte’s iconic Coyote Joe’s, the schools administrator, Donna Bowman, kicked Bailey out of Cramerton Christian Academy.
In the e-mail, Bowman says Bailey’s social media and schedule of performances contradicts behavioral expectations outlined in the the school’s student handbook.
“I got the email and I was like, well, what changed? Because they have been very aware that I’ve been a singer and I’ve been singing out in these venues for a very long time,” Bailey said. She says, “It’s nothing new.”
Bailey says she attends venues with her parents and she is only there for work. “I literally go and I sing as a job,” she said. She continues, “And whenever I sing at these venues, I’m working and singing at the venues, and when I’m not on the stage, I’m in the back.”
Her mother tells WCCB Charlotte’s Emma Mondo that she is frustrated by Bowman’s abrupt decision. Jennifer says, “You didn’t even call her in and say, ‘Hey Bailey, you’re doing this and this is against our policy.’ You didn’t even afford her that.”
Bailey’s parents did get the chance to speak with leaders at the school on Monday. The school said they would like to apologize to Bailey for how their decision was handled, but her parents don’t believe they are planning to change their mind.
WCCB also reached out to Cramerton Christian for comment, but has not heard back.
Bailey is still planning on performing at Coyote Joe’s on the 9th.
