Miss America Prom Request Gets Student Suspended; 'Reconsider,' Says Nina Davuluri
A Miss America prom request got one student suspended at a Pennsylvania high school Thursday. Patrick Farves created a video to ask Nina Davuluri to his 2014 prom, but after the school's authoritarian response, Miss America herself contacted them and asked them to reconsider.
The Miss America prom request came in during a Central York High School where Davuluri was a speaker. Farves, an 18-year-old senior, walked up to her and gave her a plastic flower and asked her to come with him to the dance, Reuters reported.
Administrators, who had warned Farves beforehand not to ask Miss America to the prom, decided to give him a 3-day in-school suspension, which means he has to sit in a room alone and work. Davuluri addressed his punishment on the Miss America Pageant Facebook page.
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"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," Davuluri, who was crowned in September 2013, wrote.
"Meeting and interacting with students across the country has been an important and rewarding part of my year as Miss America," Davuluri, the first Indian Miss America, continued. "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."
The school had gotten wind of Farves' plan in advance, but he didn't heed their warnings, telling Reuters his "mind was already set" by that time. The known prankster does regret disrupting the assembly though – the students burst out in laughter at his stunt.
"She was trying to get across a very strong message – about how it's not about your beliefs or the color of your skin, but who you are," Farves, who has a white mother and a black father, added. Davuluri also spoke to students about the importance of studying science, technology, engineering and math.
Central York High School has no policy about asking Miss America to prom, but explained their actions.
"It is not our practice to discipline a student for asking someone – even Miss America – to a school dance," the school's statement explained. "However, it is our practice to set expectations for student behavior, to communicate those expectations and rules to students and families and to ensure those rules are followed within our schools."
Farves still has no date to the prom.
