Senior Erica DeRamus Suspended for Skimpy Prom Dress

Alabama High School Senior Erica DeRamus Suspended for Prom Dress

When senior Erica DeRamus showed up to her high school prom, she had no idea that one of the most special nights in her life would turn into a disaster. Upon her arrival, school officials told Erica that her dress broke the dress code policy.

The school's official policy is that the dress could be no higher than six inches above the knee, and couldn't reveal below the breastbone.

Officials said that Erica's dress showed too much cleavage, an opinion not shared by Erica or her mother, who bought the dress. Darrie DeRamus says that she never would purchased the dress for her daughter if it was too revealing.

Alabama High School Punishing Prom Students for Dress Code

Erica's mother said she never heard about the dress code, but Principal Trey Holloday says that parents were warned about the dress code on three separate occasions.

352 students attended prom, and 18 violated the policy, he said.Out of those 18, 17 chose to be paddled for punishment, while Erica chose a 3-day suspension, saying that being paddled was an archaic form of punishment.

Principal Holloday says that while he understands his student's anger, the school must punish students who knowingly break the rules.