This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Did Shelton High School Officials Overact to the Prom Date Sign Put Up By James Tate?

Our working mom, Melisa Thorne, wants your input on the James Tate and Sonali Rodrigues prom debacle that cropped up in May.

Social networking is a bit of a hobby of mine. I Facebook. I admit it. I even "like" pages that are forged for products or causes that I believe in. So, when the power of social networking impacts school legistlation, naturally I'm intrigued. 

Clearly, high school students know how to use the power of social media to their advantage. (Read the story below). I'm really interested in hearing your opinion on this:

Last month, James Tate wanted to ask Sonali Rodrigues to the Shelton High School prom. He wanted to be original so he and some friends sneaked onto school grounds at their school after hours and taped up a series of cardboard cut letters which read: “Sonali Rodrigues, will you go to prom with me? HMU – Tate.” (HMU stands for “Hit Me Up" in case you weren’t up on the lingo.)

Find out what's happening in Stonehamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The girl said yes. But the principal said no. Posting the sign violated school trespassing rules, resulting in a short-term suspension, while also triggering another rule that states that any student suspended after April 1 will not be allowed to attend the prom.

The decision upset classmates and a "Let James Tate go to the Prom" Facebook page was created on facebook, accumulating nearly 9,000 likes. Thus, the story caught the attention of local media as well as national media. 

Find out what's happening in Stonehamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On May 12, if you tuned into The Today Show, you would have seen the star-crossed lovers; James Tate and Sonali Rodrigues moaning their tale of woe. In the days that followed, the principal, Beth Smith, faced TV cameras in front of the school building and .

Later after relenting public pressure, Smith reversed her decision.

What do you think? Did the school overreact? Did the punishment fit the crime? What are your thoughts on Principal Smith caving to the public outcry?

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?