HERNANDO — Two Mississippi high school students want the chance to run for prom queen and prom king like many couples do.

Kenzie Ellenberger and Mallory Boone from Hernando High School told WREG in Memphis they have been in a relationship for approximately two years and are trying to make their prom more inclusive for the LGBTQ community. Boone wanted to run for prom queen and Ellenberger wanted to run for prom king.

The two female students said their principal first agreed but then changed his mind.

“He said, ‘Yeah that would be fine. That would work. They can write your name in,’ and then he called me back in the next day and went back on everything he said and just shot it down and told me no,” Ellenberger told WREG.
The two students offered different suggestions to make the prom more gender neutral but were turned down.

Undeterred, the students started an online petition to have Ellenberger be on the prom king ballot.

Expecting 200 signatures, the students were surprised when they received more than a thousand signatures.

Even with the petition, the principal reportedly did not budge.

Boone was listed as one of the prom queen nominees. Four men were included on the prom king list.

The school’s prom is Friday in downtown Memphis.

Boone and Ellenberger told WREG that they are planning to go and have fun regardless.

The DeSoto County School District released the following statement:
“At Hernando High School, seniors are nominated for prom royalty by their peers. School administrators were asked about a couple that wanted to be Prom King and Prom Queen. Students were informed that individuals, not couples, are elected to the court. Using an online nomination process, students select one male and one female student to represent the senior class. This process ensures that both males and females can participate and serve on the court.”