School takes a stern view of what most think was an innocuous prank.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: Miss America Nina Davuluri is imploring the administration of a Pennsylvania high school to lift its suspension of a senior student because he had the gall to ask Davuluri to prom.
According to the Associated Press, Davuluri was at Central York High School on Thursday, April 17, to give a talk about the importance of science, engineering, and technology, and pursuing careers in those disciplines. Davuluri has spoken many times about her desire to ultimately become a physician, and has advocated for young boys and girls to go into the science and technical fields as part of her Miss America campaign.
During her speech, which was given in front of a packed assembly in the school’s main hall, an 18 year-old senior named Patrick Farves got up in front of everyone, walked up to stage where Davuluri was standing, took out a plastic flower from his pocket, and handed it to her, asking her on the spot if she would be his date to the school’s prom dance on May 10.
Students at the assembly burst into cheers and laughter at Farves’ gentlemanly (and gutsy) display of chivalry, and Davuluri herself appeared flattered and, at the very least, amused by the prom proposal. But the school’s administration was not, and gave the boy a three-day in-school suspension for the stunt.
According to a statement released by York Central High School, their issue is not with the fact that Farves asked Davuluri to the prom – it’s that he disobeyed a direct order from school officials not to ask her at the assembly. Administrators learned that Farves, an apparently notorious prankster, was going to ask Davuluri to prom days before her event at the school, and had warned him not to do anything. Farves did anyway, and now he’s been forced into an alternative, remedial school program for three days.
Friends within the community, and supporters around the country, have taken to social media and demanded that the school lift its punishment for what was ultimately a rather innocuous little prank. And on Sunday, Miss America herself joined the growing chorus of voices pleading with the school to re-consider its punishment.
In a statement posted on the Miss America official Facebook page, Davuluri explained that she will “unfortunately” be unable to attend the Central York High School prom because of other obligations, but commended Farves for “following [his] dreams” and said that she was “flattered” by his romantic gesture.
Central York High School has not given any indication that they will re-consider their punishment. Farves apologized to the principal and the school at large for interrupting the assembly, but upon finding out later that Davuluri herself found nothing wrong with what he did, took to Twitter to say that as long as she was ok with what he did, so was he.
Davuluri’s full statement can be read below:
“On Thursday, a student invited me to prom and gave me a flower while I was giving a presentation in York, Pennsylvania. I was flattered by the gesture although I am unfortunately unable to attend due to my travel schedule. I later learned of the disciplinary action taken and reached out to the school in hopes that they will reconsider their decision.”
“Meeting and interacting with students across the country has been an important and rewarding part of my year as Miss America. I always encourage students to follow their dreams through education, and I’m inspired daily by the enthusiasm and aspirations of the bright young adults I have the pleasure of meeting through my travels.”
6 Comments
Rules are rules. Chop off his hands.
Rules are rules. Chop off his hands.
…and I bet this school still tolerates bullies.
…and I bet this school still tolerates bullies.
The way I understand the US Constitution, EVERYONE has free speech. There is nothing more than CENSORSHIP, ran by the GESTAPO, who think school students are similar to prison inmates, (ie without constitutional rights.) Let the kids alone, you IDIOTS!!!
The way I understand the US Constitution, EVERYONE has free speech. There is nothing more than CENSORSHIP, ran by the GESTAPO, who think school students are similar to prison inmates, (ie without constitutional rights.) Let the kids alone, you IDIOTS!!!