Newton student banned from prom after writing prodemocracy notes in China

NEWTON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com)- Newton North High school officials forbid a senior from attending prom after he wrote prodemocracy comments in another student's notebook in China.

Henry DeGroot, 18, allegedly wrote phrases that included "Democracy is for cool kids" and "Don't believe the lies your school and government tell you" in a Chinese student's notebook during a group visit to a school outside of Beijing. DeGroot was on a four month study abroad program in China sponsored by Newton North High School, the Boston Globe reported.

Chinese school officials put him in detention for five hours when they first found out. When he returned, Newton school officials barred him from the prom.

The high school senior claimed that his freedom of speech was taken away by the Newton school system. However, Newton officials say that the student violated their semester abroad rules and embarrassed the principal of the Chinese school.

DeGroot says the Newton school system taught him how to speak his mind, but then punished him when he did so.

Since he couldn't attend the prom, DeGroot and his date went to Five Guys dressed for the prom.

For more: bostonglobe.com

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