Casey Akers
A high school sophomore in Keller didn’t anticipate creating a stir over a prom proposal. But that’s what happened, anyway.
Casey Akers, who attends Timber Creek High School in Keller, wanted to take a female friend to prom. Her friend didn’t have a date, so Akers wanted to make the evening by performing a “promposal.”
Akers, who is a lesbian and has a girlfriend, said she received the blessing of two school administrators. But after they found out she was asking a girl, those administrators said it “wasn’t appropriate,” Akers said.
In response, a friend started a social media campaign with the hashtag #LetCaseyPromposal. Promposals, which are growing in popularity among high schoolers, are akin to a wedding proposal. And in many cases, promposals turn into elaborate public events.
The public event part is the problem for the Timber Creek High officials.
According to the school district’s student code of conduct, “Students may not engage in actions or demonstrations that substantially disrupt or materially interfere with school activities.” Administrators say a promposal would do just that.
“Promposals, and other similar public displays may create a disruption to the academic setting, therefore they are not allowed for any student,” according to statement released by the Keller school district.
District spokesperson Bruce Nieman reiterated, “Promposals aren’t allowed anywhere. They’ve occurred before, but they’re never allowed.”
But, Nieman added, same-gender couples are allowed to attend prom together in the Keller ISD — a fact may have gotten lost in the hoopla surrounding the social media campaign supporting Akers’ plan.
Akers said she has received a lot of support after the social media campaign. And even if she can’t stage her promposal, she’s still going to the prom with her friend.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition April 10, 2015.