When eighth grader Tyler Carlin arrived at Celina Middle School in Ohio with his history project, he didn’t expect to be called into the principal’s office right away. Tyler had created a physical representation honoring fallen soldiers, but his project was met with an unexpected response.
For his history assignment, Tyler designed a replica of the “battle cross” memorial using a Nerf gun, boots, and a helmet. He had received approval from his history teacher beforehand, believing he was paying tribute to an important part of U.S. history.
However, upon arriving at school, Tyler was asked by a staff member to leave his memorial and accompanying PowerPoint presentation in the administration office. He was told he could still give his presentation, but without the physical display. Shortly after, Tyler’s parents were informed that he had been suspended for three days due to concerns about a look-alike weapon and causing a disturbance.
Tyler shared with FOX News how much the project meant to him: “This means so much to me because that was the last chance that… the military, their friends got to say goodbye to them and then they had to go back out and fight.” He also spoke about a personal connection to veterans through his dad’s friend, who shared stories from his time serving in Vietnam.
While the school’s decision was difficult for Tyler and his family, the project highlighted the importance of honoring veterans and the challenges schools face balancing safety and expression.