A mother of a Marian Catholic High School senior is causing waves on social media this week because her son isn’t allowed to bring his date to the prom.

The school has denied the request because the girl is in seventh grade.

Tyler Zakrzewski had every intention to attend his school’s prom this Friday at Capriotti’s in McAdoo with his date, a friend of the family.

He is going to be 18 in August, and developmentally comes in at about 15, according to his mother Eva Zakrzewski. His date is a 14-year-old family friend from New Jersey.

“So it wouldn’t be inappropriate for his friend at 14 to accompany him to the prom,” she said.

School Principal Jean Susko said that’s against the school’s policy.

Susko said that the event is a senior prom, and that guests have to follow the guidelines of being at least high school age, but no older than 20.

“That’s true of all of our events,” Susko said. “The problem is the guest he was inviting is a seventh-grade student.”

Susko added, “There was no verification ever provided of the age of the child; the only thing was her school ID, which indicates she’s a seventh-grader.”

Tyler’s mother, Eva Zakrzewski, posted on Facebook that the tuxedo, tickets, prom dress, shoes, and flowers were already paid. Eva said they paid $150 for a tuxedo, $50 for shoes, $130 for tickets, and $60 for flowers.

“We have been very clear with the school about Tyler’s development since he started at Marian (his) freshman year. They assured us Tyler would be accommodated though he wasn’t a streamline student,” Eva Zakrzewski said,

She added, “Had we known about this three months ago, we wouldn’t be in a position where two children are now going to be devastated, and two families are out a lot of time, money and heartache because forms couldn’t be produced in advance,” she said.

“The payment for tickets was collected before the escort ID forms came home.”

Zakrzewski, of Franklin Township, said she called the archdiocese, which explained the rule to her that her son’s date had to be in high school, or age 19 or 20.

Ultimately, Zakrzewski said she was told it was the school principal’s decision to make.

“It was her call,” Eva said. “She still said no.”

Still invited

The school has not deposited his check.

“We’re waiting to hear Tyler’s response whether he is wishing to attend,” Susko said. “And then we would just refund the difference.”

Regardless, Susko said Tyler “continues to have the opportunity to come to his senior prom. Tyler has always been welcome to come to his senior prom,” she said. “He has never been denied.”

“He can also bring another guest, but that guest has to follow the guidelines of at least ninth grade or higher, but no older than 20,” Susko said.

However, Eva Zakrzewski said, “We have decided that our son and his escort will go to the prom venue Friday and take some photos with his classmates outside; then we will come home and celebrate the prom. We are donating the $130 cost of the tickets to another senior student that is a little behind in tuition.”

Not about money

Jackie Canzano of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, mother of the seventh grade student Amelia, said, “This is not about the cost that we incurred.”

“It’s about what I feel is the school making a poor decision so late in the game about the age; they didn’t get out this information until two weeks before the date of the prom,” Jackie said.

“I understand rules are rules; however, the school needs to acknowledge that they made a mistake of putting this information out too late in the game and accept this request.”

Canzano said the parents have offered to chaperon at the dance if that was going to make the school more comfortable with the situation.

“This is about Tyler; (Amelia’s) heartbroken for her friend that he’s not going to be able to attend his prom with somebody that he is comfortable with,” she said.

“It’s not about the money, not about Amelia, it’s about Tyler, and about the school making a poor decision late in the game.”

Jackie said the families still plan to attend the venue.

“We’re going through with doing the whole hair and makeup and nails, getting dressed,” she said.

“We’re going to be with Tyler for the day getting pictures with his friends and classmates.”

Jackie added, “We hope that the school changes their decision and allows him to attend the prom.”

On Tuesday, the school said in a statement that every student received this information in April.

All six Allentown Diocesan high schools (grades 9-12) adhere to the same policy for guests, according to the Marian statement.

“While the seventh-grade guest was denied, the senior has always been and is still invited to participate in his senior prom. Marian Catholic continues to develop high school students spiritually, morally, academically and socially.

“Thank you for understanding our decision.”