EL PASO, Texas -- Desert Wind School student Denise Guerrero, 14, knew it was against school policy to highlight her hair and she also knew the consequences: if she didn't remove the highlights, she would miss out on her prom, class field trip, graduation ceremony and soccer games.

"Because I couldn't be with my friends. I missed out on a lot of things," said Guerrero.

As KFOX reported, Guerrero was assigned to in-school suspension or SAC a month before the end of the school year because she has blond highlights in her hair. She was also told she couldn't participate in any school activities.

Her parents filed a grievance with the Socorro Independent School District. They disagree with the school's policy and they state other students and teachers color or highlight their hair at Desert Wind School.

"According to their policy, highlights are a distraction. Why isn't it a distraction by teachers, only by the students," said Rafael Magallanes, Guerrero's stepfather.

The principal responded to the grievance and echoed what district officials had told KFOX before. They say the dress code only applies to students and it is applied equally, fairly and thoroughly for all students.

Just one week before the end of year activities at Desert Wind, Guerrero discovered the school would not amend the policy. She was told her hair had to go back to her natural color if she wanted to participate in school events. Guerrero said she stood her ground because she felt the policy is not fair. She knew she would be sacrificing events and memories she will never relive.

"Soccer, my favorite sport, which I couldn't get in because of a policy which couldn't be changed, that's what hurt me the most," said Guerrero.

Guerrero's parents could have continued with the grievance process but this year was Denise's last.