Monday's Belgrade School Board meeting heated up as board members tackled a controversial issue.

The question- can National Honor Society (NHS) students wear special, colored honor cords at graduation?

It was standing room only at the meeting as students, parents and teachers urged board members to allow students to don the cords.

Board members said other school districts in the area don't allow it.

Plus, they pointed out, the school already hands out honor cords for all high-achieving students.

They worried that allowing NHS club members to have their own separate cords would make them stick out more than others because no other clubs currently wear cords at graduation.

But after more than an hour of back and forth debate, all board members except one voted "yes" for their decision.

Board members said they might look at setting up a special committee to handle the issue in the future, if any of the other 13 clubs come forward with the same request.

NHS students applauded at the outcome, and say they felt they blazed a trail for other clubs to follow.

"Why shouldn't they be able to express their won achievements? Why can't they wear their cords as well?" Belgrade NHS student Wes Mills said. "I see no reason that that shouldn't be allowed"

Classmate Amy Fox agreed, saying achievements in school go beyond academics- and students should be recognized for those achievements at graduation.

"I really believe that high school is very much academics, but it's also the other things that you get done in high school" she said. "It's as a whole is what prepares you for the world out there."