Hi, DeAndre.
So I know this is weird for you.
Because you're in a school in a small town in Texas.
And all of a sudden, this is national news.
And now you're on television.
And I'm sure this is not easy or comfortable for you.
But I want you to just relax and know that I'm here for you.
Thank you.
That's why you're here.
Because I don't understand this.
They've told you that you need to cut your hair in order
to return to school.
You get good grades.
You've never been in trouble, ever.
This is the first time anything has come up.
And now you haven't been in school
for weeks because of this situation.
So, OK, when did this dress code happen that you--
because you've been wearing your hair up.
Right?
OK.
Every day I would go to school, I
would always be in dress code.
But the thing with them is, if it was let down,
I would be out of dress code.
And this issue really escalated about after Christmas break.
So you were wearing your hair up.
And that was fine, but the point was
if you let it down, it would be past your--
what is this supposed be?
It's not supposed to be past your ears?
Yeah.
It can't be in your face, past your ears,
or touching your collar.
OK.
Are there girls in your school?
Oh, yeah.
OK.
And do the girls have long hair?
There's plenty of girls with long hair at my school.
Like, if girls can have long hair,
why can't I have long hair?
That's my point.
That's what I don't understand.
[APPLAUSE]
I just personally think you should
be able to wear your hair however you want,
especially if there's girls with long hair.
What's the difference if girls have long hair
and if guys have long hair?
And also, so let's just say that was just the case.
I don't think it's fair.
That's my opinion.
But also, this really has more meaning to you.
And tell everybody why.
My hair really means-- like, it's really important to me
because my dad is from Trinidad.
And you know, it's part of our culture and our heritage.
And I really wish the school would kind of
be open to other cultures, and just at least let
us try to tell you some things.
Don't just shut us out.
Yeah.
[APPLAUSE]
I think that's what school's supposed to do,
is teach you about other cultures.
You're not supposed to teach them.
They're supposed to teach you.
So if you go back to school--
let's say you want to go back to school tomorrow.
What happens?
So if I go back to school tomorrow,
my only options are in school suspension
or alternative school.
And what is alternative school?
Alternative school is where all the kids
that have behavioral issues, sell drugs, fight all the time.
Like I wish the best for them.
And I know they have good qualities in them.
But I don't deserve to be grouped with them.
No.
You have good grades.
You don't do drugs.
You don't do any of that.
And they won't allow you to walk in graduation.
Which is the biggest--
you get that far through school, and you
want to walk graduation.
Like, I've worked for this all my life.
I've strived for this.
I deserve this moment, to walk across stage
and enter into life.
My parents deserve this.
Like, they're the ones who, you know,
they got me through anything.
And you know, they just taught me everything.
They deserve to see me walk across the stage.
They sure do.
All right.
[APPLAUSE]
We're going to take a break, and more with DeAndre after this.
Let's talk about-- you want to go to college.
Right?
What do you want to major in?
When I go to college, I want to be a vet because I've always
loved animals--
everything about animals.
Just their sense of loyalty, and just companionship.
You can't get it anywhere else.
No.
Unconditional love.
Love it.
Listen, do you know how much school that is?
Like, you have to go to more school
than a doctor for people.
Go to more-- it's a long time.
But I love that you want to do that.
That's amazing.
I have to say something into this camera right here.
I am begging you--
this kid is a good kid.
He deserves to graduate, to walk with all the other kids.
He's a good guy.
I just am urging you to do the right thing.
Please.
[APPLAUSE]
Change your mind.
[APPLAUSE]
You have an incredible future ahead of you.
And as much as this has been a hassle,
I think it will be a discussion, and an eye opener
for these people to go maybe we did make a mistake.
Hey, Alicia.
Alicia wants to tell you something.
Alicia.
[APPLAUSE]
Hi, brother.
Can I get some love?
All right.
Well, I'm so happy to surprise you.
And I want to tell you that I couldn't believe the story when
I heard it.
And I'm super proud of you for standing up
for what you know is right.
And I know that the school needs to do the right thing.
Me and Ellen, you know, we called our friends
at Shutterfly because we know that you're a special person.
And you're destined for already such greatness.
And we wanted to support that greatness,
and invest in that greatness.
And so we wanted to present you with a check for $20,000.
[APPLAUSE]
Thank you so much.
So when you go to college--
[APPLAUSE]
Yes, proud of you.
Thank you.
There's nothing you can't do.
I want to thank Hoda Kotb, Alicia Keys.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Be kind to one another.
Please change your mind.
Come on, he's a good kid.