Ronald Toussaint said he was honored when his oldest daughter, a senior at Fayette County High School, asked him to escort her to the prom.
“She explained it to me (and) told me that I’m the best man that she knows,” Toussaint told Channel 2 Action News.
The single parent of three bought a prom dress for his 17-year-old daughter Ariell, but it doesn’t appear she will be wearing it to this weekend’s dance after the school system forbid him from attending.
Fayette County School District officials told Channel 2 that dates must be no younger than the ninth grade and no older than 20. Parents are also not allowed — even as chaperones.
"She's actually pretty upset,” Toussaint told Channel 2. “It's my job to dress it up and make it look good. I've been trying to do that on one hand and fighting on the other hand."
Toussaint purchased a suit but was allowed to return it and get a full refund.
He said he’s seen other stories of fathers taking their daughters to the prom, including celebrities — all over the age of 20.
“It should be 'my child' comes first. Right?” he said, “And whatever she needs. If she needs me to come to the prom with her — and it makes her feel comfortable — then that should be fine.”
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