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School says no to the dress: Teen sent home from prom

Posted at 12:08 PM, Apr 30, 2015
and last updated 2015-04-30 12:08:37-04

Credit: WXMI

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- A Michigan high school student was sent home from her prom because school officials determined her dress violated the dress code.

Mireya Briceno and her mother, Connie, carefully reviewed the dress code before purchasing the $300 dress, according to WXMI.

One of the rules stated “no midriff can be exposed,” which includes the midriff being visible through sheer material. Mireya’s midriff was not showing in her blue and white polka dot dress, but her side was visible.

“They asked her to stand-up and turn around, so she turned around and they simply told her ‘You’re in violation. You need to go home,'” said Briceno.

Connie said photos show several girls with similar dresses who were allowed to stay at prom, including some girls with sheer material over their midriffs.

Credit: WXMI

Muskegon High School Principal Brad Perkins told WXMI two other girls were sent home but later returned in different wardrobe. Perkins also said Mireya apparently wore her date's jacket into prom but later took it off, revealing the dress.

He said when the vice principal asked Mireya if she wore the jacket to cover up because she knew she was in violation, Mireya said, “Yes,” but the girl's mother disputes that claim.

“She wore the jacket outside because it was chilly, but she took it off at the front door and even posed for a photo with the cheerleading coach in that dress,” said Connie.

Principal Perkins refused to look at the photos of Mireya or other students at the prom.

“What would be the purpose of looking in the past?” he told WXMI.

Perkins said he stands by the school’s dress code, which has been in place for several years.