TOPEKA, KS — April 21, 2025 — Seaman High School has issued an internal response following widespread outrage over a racist prom-posal photo shared by one of its students. The image, which circulated on Instagram and Snapchat last week, shows a white student holding a sign that reads: “If I was Black I’d be picking cotton, but I’m white so I’m picking you for prom.”
The student, identified through social media posts as Allie Theis, is a Washburn Rural High School student. Her prom date, Bryson Vance, a student at Seaman High School, is also pictured in the now-viral image.
The backlash has been swift and intense, with many social media users tagging both Arizona State University, where Theis has reportedly applied, and Kansas State University, where Vance is said to be planning to attend. Parents and students alike have voiced outrage, demanding clear disciplinary action and accountability from school leadership.
In an internal message sent to staff, Seaman School District Superintendent Mr. Willson acknowledged the post without sharing details.
“Recently an inexcusable action made outside of school by one of our students hit social media,” he wrote. “I will not go into detail or share the content… because spreading the content only amplifies the negativity.”
Willson added, “No racially (or other) inappropriate comments, acts or stereotyping in our schools or at school events should be tolerated in any way… Please maintain your vigilance to ensure that no students, regardless of race, gender, disability or any other reason are made to feel less than.”
The district has not issued a public statement detailing what actions—if any—it plans to take in response. This silence has only deepened concerns among community members, many of whom are posting online that they fear the district may wait for the outrage to die down without imposing meaningful consequences.
“This is exactly why students don’t feel safe or seen in schools like Seaman,” one commenter posted. “We’ve seen this before. They say the right thing in a memo and hope it blows over.”
The incident has reignited criticism of racial insensitivity within Topeka-area schools. Seaman High School in particular has faced controversy in recent years over its name, which honors a known Confederate officer. Community groups have previously petitioned for the name to be changed—efforts that have been met with resistance.
As of Monday afternoon, neither Seaman nor Washburn Rural School Districts have responded to media inquiries regarding student discipline or the potential for broader equity and inclusion reviews.
“This is not about one sign. It’s about a culture that allows this kind of thing to happen over and over again without accountability,” said Skylar M., a local high school student who helped bring the photo to public attention.
This Is Topeka will continue to follow developments in this story.
