CEDAR LAKE | For the second day in a row, a Hanover Central High School freshman came to school with pagan symbols sketched on her face and was sent home by school officials.

Hanover Superintendent Michael Livovich said the symbols on the girl's face are disruptive to the educational process, and she will be sent home each day if she refuses to wash them off.

On Tuesday, Sky Holeman wore a pentagram symbol below her eye to mark the pagan holiday of Beltane, and school officials sent her home.

Holeman returned to school Wednesday with more sketches on her face, Livovich said, and was sent home again.

Holeman's father, Andy Pecenka, said he and his wife, Sharene, will talk to a lawyer regarding their daughter's rights. He said she has been a practicing pagan for three or four years and being sent home compromises her religious freedoms.

Pecenka said the holiday lasts through Saturday. He said Wednesday the family had not decided whether Holeman would attend school Thursday and Friday or stay at home in honor of the holiday.

"If a youngster came to school with crosses on their face or a Star of David sketched on their face, we would ask them to wash it off too," Livovich said.

Livovich said he was willing to give Holeman an excused absence for Tuesday, but he could not find any information that said the holiday extended through Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Pecenkas said they went to the high school Wednesday to talk to officials when a teacher sent their daughter to the office during third hour.

Andy Pecenka, who said he has been a member of the Order of Bairds, Ovates and Druids for 13 years, wore traditional Celtic garb, including a kilt, to the school to speak with officials.

Pecenka believes there are a number of misconceptions about the pagan faith, and religion is a personal choice.

"They told us she could come to school not wearing it tomorrow or not return to school until after the holiday is over," he said. "Education is very important. We asked if she could wear a necklace. They said that was OK as long as no one complained about it."