Teen to skip prom, graduation after 'promposal' sign outrage

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - The 18-year-old Sarasota student behind a "promposal" that drew attention for all the wrong reasons will not attend prom, graduation, or any further school activities or functions, according to his family.

The Crowley family has issued a statement through a Tampa public relations firm after the controversy over the weekend:

"While our son has apologized himself, on behalf of our family, we wish to also express our most sincere apologies for the terrible words used in his 'promposal.' We love our son dearly and know that he is a far better person than reflected in this reckless behavior. That said, as loving parents, we also feel compelled to share our own deep regret and serious concern about his actions.

After numerous familial conversations and lengthy discussions with Riverview High School administrators, we have jointly agreed that our son will not be attending any further school activities or functions, including the Prom or graduation ceremony.

As a family, we truly recognize this incident is a very difficult but important life lesson and pledge to do all we can to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again. Certainly, we hope that all of the people and communities who were hurt and offended will forgive our son and family."

School administrators told FOX 13 they were investigating the post that many found racist and offensive. The senior from Riverview High School in Sarasota posted the photo of himself holding a homemade sign saying, "If I was black I'd be picking cotton, but I'm white so I'm picking U 4 prom?"

Outrage spread in response to the photo. Some people took screenshots of the post and shared it on other platforms, commenting that Crowley shouldn't be allowed to go to prom at all, and that the post was shameful and unnecessary.

Counselors were brought in to talk to students about the post. The district said the 18-year-old could face disciplinary punishment.

Noah Crowley reportedly issued his own apology on SnapChat Sunday.

"I want to sincerely apologize if I have offended anyone with the picture going around. That was not my intention," read the post, which was attributed to him. "Anyone who knows me or [name redacted] knows that that's not how we truly feel. It was a completely joke and it went too far. After reading the texts and Snapchat's I truly see how I have offended people and I'm sorry."