Sounding disappointed, tired — but not the least bit angry — James Tate thanked his supporters Thursday and said it’s time for him to focus on his golf game.
“All of this attention has become a bit out of hand,” Tate said outside his Shelton home.
When asked if he wants things to return to normal, his response was succinct: “Yes.”
The comments were made a few hours after Shelton High School headmaster Beth Smith announced school officials would not budge on their decision to ban Tate and two friends from attending this year’s prom.
Tate and his friends used duct tape and cardboard and posted a giant message on an exterior wall of Shelton High School last weekend asking classmate Sonali Rodrigues if she would go to the dance with him.
The bold gesture landed the AP student in hot water with Shelton officials, who gave Tate and his buddies in-school suspension.
However, Shelton High School’s policy states that any student who receives an in-school or out-of-school suspension after April 1 is automatically prevented from going to the prom.
The idea is to deter end-of-the-school-year hijinx.
Tate’s plight made him an Internet sensation, with hundreds of thousands of people showing support for “Team Tate” on Twitter and Facebook.
It landed him and Rodrigues on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” Wednesday night and the “Today” show Thursday morning.
Shelton school officials remained silent all week as throngs of media camped outside the school. Superintendent Freeman Burr issued a written statement Wednesday that essentially said “there will be no statement.”
Smith broke her silence Thursday by reading a terse statement outside the high school that repeated Shelton’s policy, saying that everyone in the school community knows the consequences when the rules are broken.
“This unfortunate situation is a result of one of those consequences,” Smith said, before turning her back on reporters and heading back into the high school.
“I guess that means no,” someone in the crowd said.
The Tate family — James, dad James Sr. and mom Tracey — were disappointed but ready to move on.
The Internet has exploded with people trying to organize an “alternative” prom for Tate and his friends.
Tate thanked them for their support, but said he wants to have fun the night of his prom — but he wants to enjoy himself privately with his friends.
Tate, throughout the ordeal, never had a bad word to say about Shelton schools or the administrators.
His parents said they were proud of the way their son handled the attention.
His dad also said an alternative “prom” in Shelton would not be appropriate.
“That’s just not the way it should be in the city. The city is a great group of people and community and I’d like to see it stay like that. We would love to see one prom, and everybody have a terrific time, and just enjoy it, and move on,” James Tate, Sr. said.
James returned to his house at about 7 p.m. Thursday, where a gaggle of reporters had been waiting for about two hours.
He had been at golf practice — it hadn’t gone too well, unable to beat the par.
“Well your mind was on other things,” his mom told him.
The complete statement from the Shelton High School headmaster is published below.
The statement from Shelton High School headmaster Beth Smith:
“Shelton High School is a learning community where students are expected to meet high academic and behavioral expectations. There has been a practice at Shelton High School for many years that any student receiving an in-school or out-of-school suspension after April 1 for any reason would not be allowed to attend the prom.
This regulation is reinforced over the course of the spring by daily PA system reminders, posted signage in common areas of the building and classrooms, as well as informational letters and automated phone messages to parents.
These communications are intended to remind our students and parents of the high school expectations and consequences.
This unfortunate situation is a result of one of those consequences.”
