This year at St. Thomas, students are noticing something new. A school that was once dominated by neutral colors and strict guidelines has now allowed students to add their own personal touch to their attire.
This fall, students stepped into a new reality at St. Thomas, where sneakers of all kinds dominated the halls. What once seemed to be a rule set in stone has given way to a wave of comfort and personalization.
“I felt like I was attending a new school during the first few weeks. This is a change I thought would never happen,” Dominic Hurd ‘26 said.
During the first few weeks of school, the change was impossible to miss. Hallways that used to be filled with the clicking of dress shoes now carry a softer, quieter noise. Jordans, dunks, running shoes, and even boldly colored athletic shoes appear on the feet of nearly every student at St. Thomas. Although this visual change can sometimes be hard to notice, as the rest of the dress code prevails, it is a small detail that has a significant impact on the overall school environment.
The change was first introduced by the dean of students just before school started back up. At first, it was branded as an adjustment to make everyone’s life easier. Although most in years prior followed the dress code, some students consistently defied it by wearing shoes that the dress code did not permit. Eventually, the dean decided to give in. They decided that it would be easier for everyone if they changed the dress code to be more lenient.
“I was excited when I first heard the news, mainly because dress code shoes were uncomfortable,” Hurd said.
Apart from making the dean’s job easier, the change also improved the daily lives of all St. Thomas students. Between moving across campus, participating in school activities, and spending hours on foot, many benefit from the comfort and flexibility that the new guidelines present. A change that was initially begrudgingly made has made everyone happier and more comfortable, optimizing St. Thomas as an environment to learn and develop.
“I’ve grown used to the updated guidelines. Seeing sneakers around school no longer surprises me; it almost feels like the rule has been in place for a couple of years, even though it only began this year,” Hurd said.
As the weeks go by, sneakers have woven themselves into the school’s rhythm, and they no longer feel out of place. The once seemingly unending series of dress shoes has given way to a new wave that makes the halls of St. Thomas feel more lively and modern. Although the change is subtle, it reflects a campus that is caught up with the modern era yet grounded in tradition. What began as a small but noticeable change has now shown that St. Thomas can evolve without losing its core identity. The blend of comfort, expression, and uniformity shows
how even a change as small as allowing sneakers can have great impacts on a community’s
health and environment.
