Washburn Rural Responds After Racist Promposal Photo Circulates Online
TOPEKA, Kan.—April 21, 2025 — Washburn Rural High School has issued an official statement after a racist promposal photo involving one of its students began circulating widely on social media over the weekend. The image features a sign that reads, “If I was Black I’d be picking cotton, but I’m white so I’m picking you for prom,” held by a white teenage girl from Washburn Rural and a male student from Seaman High School.
The photo, which first gained attention through local Facebook groups and Snapchat screenshots shared by a local high school student, has prompted an outpouring of public outrage. Many online users have tagged Arizona State University—where the girl has reportedly applied—and Kansas State University, where the boy is believed to be headed. The backlash has also spilled over into the families of the students involved, with some users attempting to dox their parents’ workplaces. This Is Topeka has chosen not to publish that information.
In response to the growing controversy, Washburn Rural Principal Ed Raines sent a message to parents and guardians Monday morning. In the letter, Raines confirmed that the school was aware of the image and acknowledged its serious emotional impact on the community, despite the incident taking place off campus.
“Let me be absolutely clear: this behavior is not condoned,” Raines wrote. “It violates the values we strive to live out every day—respect, dignity, and equity for all people. Racism, in any form and against any group, is unacceptable.”
The school has offered counseling support for students hurt or affected by the photo and emphasized a commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
While Washburn Rural did not mention specific disciplinary actions or confirm the identity of the student involved, the statement underscores the school’s broader responsibility to foster inclusivity and human decency within its walls.
This is not the first time a racist promposal has surfaced in Kansas. Similar signs have appeared at schools across the country in recent years, sparking debates about whether schools are doing enough to address racism both in and outside the classroom.
The Shawnee County School District has not released an official district-wide statement as of publication.
This Is Topeka will continue to follow this developing story.
