The principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy High School in Albuquerque has been removed from their position, and several staff members have been placed on administrative leave, following a drag queen performance at the school’s prom that ignited controversy within the community.
The performance, which occurred on April 20, featured drag queen Mythica Sahreen, who had previously worked with the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Videos from the event circulated on social media platforms such as TikTok, showing Sahreen in thigh-high boots and a bodysuit, performing dance moves that some viewers found to be provocative.
Reactions from the online community were swift and divided. Comments on the school’s Facebook page ranged from disappointment and frustration to outright indignation. One commenter, Kristin Arnold Waide, demanded, “Every staff member who knew anything about that disgusting spectacle at prom should be fired immediately.” Another, Paul Miller, called into question the moral compass of those who allowed the performance, stating, “How wicked and morally corrupt must people be to allow this? Whoever approved this should not be allowed anywhere near children.”
Sahreen, in interviews, stated that he was given “full clearance from administration, student body, prom officers, and the activities coordinator,” and that “everything was a go.” Despite this assertion, a palpable lack of communication with parents about the nature of the prom entertainment has been a central issue in the aftermath. Critics argue that parents and students should have been given the opportunity to choose whether to engage with this type of performance.
Valentin Trujillo, a parent of two Atrisco Heritage students, shared his discomfort with the performance, “It was just very inappropriate for the kids to see that. I think that’s something that belongs in a club — in a nightclub. That’s not something for children to see.”
Amidst the turmoil, the school district appointed Anthony Lovato as the acting principal. In a letter to the school community, Lovato, a familiar face who helped open the school in 2008, expressed a commitment to focusing on student needs and moving the school forward for the remainder of the year.
Relevant articles:
– After a drag queen show during prom, an Albuquerque high school principal is removed, nbcnews.com, 04/27/2024
– Drag queen performance at Atrisco Heritage prom raises questions, KOAT New Mexico, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 22:58:00 GMT
– At Least 3 APS Administrators Escorted Off Atrisico Heritage Campus After Drag Queen Performance at Prom, ABQ RAW, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 02:37:30 GMT
– Principal in Albuquerque removed and several employees placed on leave following prom drag show incident, Globe Echo, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 21:42:59 GMT