Michigan teen was sent home from prom after her open back dress was found to be in violation of the school's dress code.
Briceno's mother says the teen plans to attend prom at her boyfriend's high school in a different dress. Images courtesy of Erin Zaragoza Photography.
Mireya Briceno, a senior at Muskegon High School, was sent home from the prom on April 24 after school officials determined her open-back prom dress violated the dress code.
"I felt she was classy and elegant...she was perfect," Connie Briceno, Mireya's mother, told MLive. "She called me from the parking lot...she got in her car and started crying." Brad Perkins, principal of Muskegon High School, told MLive that school staff tried to make the student body aware of the dress guidelines ahead of time and that students were required to sign a form before buying prom tickets. "The key is they want to have clear expectations," Perkins said. "Everybody likes to know what the expectation is." Connie Briceno said she and her daughter reviewed the guidelines and believed the dress was in compliance. Although Perkins said he has received praise for the decision, he did not know why it was determined the dress violated school rules, according to MLive. "What's done is done...all I wanted is for him to call me and give me an explanation," Connie Briceno said. Connie Briceno says that her daughter entered the prom wearing her boyfriend's jacket because of the cold weather, and was asked to leave an hour later. Perkins also said two other female students were asked to leave because of dress code violations, but they found something to cover their dresses and returned. Mireya's boyfriend attends another high school in the area and the couple plans to attend his school's prom on May 9. Connie Briceno stated that Mireya will be wearing a different dress to that prom.