Miss America defends suspended student after prom proposal

Miss America Nina Davuluri has urged education officials in Pennsylvania to reinstate a student who was suspended after asking the beauty queen to be his prom date during a visit to his school.

Davuluri was taking part in a question and answer session with teens at Central York High School on Thursday (17Apr14) when bold Patrick Farves used the opportunity to ask her out.

She was forced to turn down the date due to her busy travel schedule, and there was more heartbreak for the teenager when school heads chose to punish him and place him on a three-day suspension.

Davuluri was disappointed to learn of the punishment and took to the Miss America Organization's Facebook.com page on Saturday (19Apr14) to speak out on Farves' behalf.

She wrote, "On Thursday, a student invited me to prom and gave me a flower while I was giving a presentation in York, Pennsylvania.

"I was flattered by the gesture although I am unfortunately unable to attend due to my travel schedule. I later learned of the disciplinary action taken and reached out to the school in hopes that they will reconsider their decision."

School officials have yet to respond to Davuluri's public plea.