A Colorado school sent home a student after she showed up to school bald, as a gesture of support for her friend battling cancer.

Kamryn Renfro of Grand Junction, Colorado shaved her head as a gesture of support for her friend who is battling cancer. When Renfro showed up for class, however, the school sent her home, citing a dress code violation.

Renfro told 9News, “It felt like the right thing to do.”

The girls’ school, Caprock Academy, released a statement defending their actions:

“Caprock Academy does have a detailed dress code policy, which was created to promote safety, uniformity, and a non-distracting environment for the school’s students. Under this policy, shaved heads are not permitted.”

Renfro’s friend, 11-year old Delaney Clements, said that the gesture was an important one. “It made me feel very special and that I’m not alone.”

9News reported that Renfro would be allowed to return to school the next day, but that the school stood by their actions. The school also said that “extraordinary circumstances” may allow exceptions to their dress code and that the school’s board of directors would be meeting to discuss the policy.

Watch the 9News segment below: