[Richard]

They weren't "punished" - they chose to sit out the ceremony vice taking off a sash and participating - their choice.

As far as graduation attire goes, the accoutrements (cords, sashes, medals, etc) worn are recognition of achievements/accomplishments during one's time in the pursuit of a degree (e.g., National Honor Societies, National Beta Club, International Thespian Society, achieving or exceeding a state's 'recommended' graduation program, etc) and not for something yet to be earned (e.g., serving in the armed forces).

I think the title of the news piece is disingenuously misleading.

At my HS grad, we wore shorts under our gowns, launched oversized beach balls bouncing in the crowd, firecrackers. I even wore 2" tape strips spelling out, "Hi Mom!"

WD - FYI, I would not have let you walk with your class if you had shown up like that at my school, and the beach balls and firecrackers would have delayed your receiving a diploma/transcript until you completed some assigned community service for your misbehavior. I only had one student challenge our graduation policies in such a way during the 13 years I was principal; she didn't walk and came back later to apologize to me and those teachers she admired for letting us down.

Richard