by ALLAN DEAN

SANDY HOOK, NJ — Mona Elgohail is a Muslim teen who has excelled academically throughout her elementary and middle school years. She has a love of the ocean, marine biology and science. "She was an excellent student - not just academically - she was well rounded.  She was a good leader who made a wonderful contribution to the student body," said Dr. Martha Wallauer, principal and superintendent at Atlantic Highlands Elementary School. When she was in 5th grade, her teacher, Kevin Bolger, told her about the program at M.A.S.T.

Mona Elgohail, 14,  was a student at M.A.S.T.  Her scarf prevented her from wearing a uniform in accordance with Navy regulations.

The Marine Academy of Science and Technology, located at Sandy Hook is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District (MCVSD) which administers the special vocational high schools in the County, including: High Technology High School, Academy of Allied Health & Science, Communications High School, and M.A.S.T.  Slots at the schools are hard to come by.  Entry is very competitive.

Mona was an 8th grade honors student at Henry Hudson seeking a greater challenge so she took the entry exam for M.A.S.T in February 2003.  She was accepted and attended an information session at the school in May.  She also attended a freshman picnic in June, but it wasn't until August when the new students were issued their uniforms that anyone brought up the topic of her scarf, according to Mona's mother, Nemera Elgohail.

Like many women who practice Islam, Mona wears a scarf to cover her head.  The scarf, or hijab, is worn by Muslim girls after they have reached puberty and is required by the Qur’an which says in Surah 24, verse 31:

"{And say to the believing women that they cast down their looks and guard their modesty and do not display their beauty and ornaments except what appears thereof, and let them draw their veils [head-covers] over their bosoms, and not reveal their ornaments except to their husbands…}"

and again in Surah 33, verse 59:

"{O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them [when they go abroad]. That will be better, that so they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.}"

Mona and her mother Nemera Elgohail wear the hijab they say is required of their religion.

"It is not suppose to be a choice," says Mona who attends the Masgid Iman Mosque in Holmdel.  "The whole point of it is to make people like you for who you are."  The 14 year-old has worn the scarf with sports uniforms and band uniforms at school with no problems according to her mother. Mona was very excited to be accepted at M.A.S.T.  She said it was the best place to study marine biology.

An integral component of the program at M.A.S.T. is participation in the Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC).  The program fulfills the state's physical education and health requirements for high school students. The program requires students to wear uniforms twice a week. The uniforms are supplied by the U.S. Navy at no cost to the students. 

The NJROTC program was created by Congress in 1964 to teach and encourage good leadership and citizenship. The NJROTC curriculum includes course work in leadership, naval history, citizenship, naval operations, seamanship, navigation, maritime geography, oceanography, astronomy, and military drill. Instruction involves both classroom, and hands on experiences. Cadets have the opportunity to take part in ship training cruises, orientation visits, and class field trips to various naval activities to enhance classroom experiences.

Cadets at M.A.S.T. receive an annual unit inspection from an NJROTC area manager.  The area manager, an active duty naval officer, checks every aspect of the battalion including drill, personal appearance, supply records, etc.

M.A.S.T. is part of NJROTC Area 4 which include the northeast U.S., Spain and Italy.

When uniforms were handed out at the school in August and the issue of the scarf came up, the school principal, Dr. Paul Christopher, said "we'll work something out" according to Mrs. Elgohail.

Mona says that she was excited about wearing the uniform.  And she was glad to be a part of M.A.S.T.

After classes began, Mona and her parents, Emad and Nemera Elgohair, met with Dr. Christopher and 1st Sergeant Ronnie Nelson (USMC Ret.), Associate Naval Science Instructor, to discuss alternatives.  It was suggested that Mona might wear a larger cap and a bandana to hide her hair.  The educators even suggested a wig.

The family searched shops in North Jersey but were unable to find a suitable bandana so they purchased material and fashioned their own.  The bandana solution was not acceptable, however, because it would be still visible when wearing the uniform. 

Dr. Christopher said "I tried to do everything to meet her needs based on her religion.."  He shared with Mona and her parents the regulations from the Department of the Navy. "There is nothing in the regs to provide leeway for her religious garb."

The Elgohail's also met with Dr. Brian McAndrew, Superintendent of Schools for MCVSD.  Dr. McAndrew said he explained that the protocol that NJROTC uses comes from the U.S. Department of the Navy.  "If you want to wear a military uniform you must wear it according to the protocols."

Dr. McAndrew noted that military and veterans hold great respect for the uniform and to alter it would not be welcomed by them. 

He said the Navy regulations would permit a yarmulke, a skullcap worn by Jewish men and boys, especially those adhering to Orthodox or Conservative Judaism, to be worn under the NJROTC uniform cap.

Dr. McAndrew said it is a question of choice, and the choice to leave is with the student.  "We will not put any student in a situation where they have to leave.  It would never be a point of 'wear the uniform or leave'."

Sherry Brown, from the office of Chief of Naval Education and Training, Pensacola, Florida, said the issue has come up before in other parts of the country - recently in a similar case in Florida.  She was uncertain of the outcome of those cases.

The NJROTC Area 4 manager, CDR David A. Crandall, could not be reached before publication time.

Mona says she really wishes it could have worked out at M.A.S.T.  She really loves marine biology, and although she was offered a slot at another MCVSD school, she says it just wouldn't offer the same classes as M.A.S.T.  

She started this week as a freshman at Middletown High School South, where she is taking honors classes.