Ga. High School Holds Segregated Proms

LYONS, Ga. – Decades after the Supreme Court ended school segregation, high school students in rural Lyons, Ga., are still separated from their peers of other races — at the prom.

At Toombs County High School (search), there are three separate dances: one for blacks, one for whites and this year for the first time, one for Hispanics.

The idea of separate proms was first introduced by some white parents in the 1970s in response to integration and has remained a tradition ever since.

But high school Principal Ralph Hardy said it now has nothing to do with race — it has to do with diverse cultural traditions and different tastes in food and music.

School officials said students are invited to attend any of the proms — even all three if they wish.

But high school junior Anna Rosa Perez said racial crossover is still discouraged at the dances and thinks the school needs to get involved and sponsor one prom for everyone.

Click here to watch a report by Fox News Channel's Jonathan Serrie.