Honor Student’s Prom Date Flunks School Policy Barred Boyfriend, 23, Serving Sentence For Assault And Theft

Michelle Whittington’s blue gown will remain in the closet during her senior prom Friday because her would-be date is a convicted felon.

Shadle Park High School administrators took the unusual step this week of refusing to sell tickets to Whittington because her 23-year-old boyfriend, David Sosville, is banned from school events.

The school, like others in Spokane, recently started screening nonstudents who come as dates to dances, looking for potential thugs or criminals.

Sosville is the first person known to have failed the screening. He’s had felony assault convictions as a juvenile and adult, and is now serving a work-release sentence for theft and assault.

Whittington, an 18-year-old honor student, argues that the prom is her special day, and she should be allowed to bring her boyfriend of four years.

She already has spent more than $100 on the dress, rented him a tuxedo, ordered flowers.

“This is my senior prom and I won’t go without him,” she said.

Jodi Claussen backs her daughter. She admits to being concerned when Sosville started dating her daughter, then 14, but he never endangered Whittington, she says.

“I just don’t think it’s really fair,” said a tearful Claussen. “Everybody deserves chances - and second chances.”

School administrators defend the screening as a necessary safeguard. Last winter, a pair of “skinhead” nonstudents stole money from purses during a dance, then beat up a girl who described them to police.

Sosville is a special case, according to the administrators. His name, face and car description appeared four years ago on a flier distributed by a security guard around Shadle Park High, alleging he was a scout for a Compton, Calif., gang.

And school officials haven’t forgotten his involvement in several on-campus fights.

“I’m sad that Michelle feels that she’s in a spot, and now feels she cannot attend the prom,” said Principal Emmett Arndt. “However, I know we need to maintain a standard of safety and positive atmosphere. That standard is what’s important.”

The screening process is simple: An assistant principal views a list of would-be guests, who must preregister to attend a school dance. They don’t do formal background checks, but if a name crops up that is known to administrators or security guards, the prospective date is interviewed.

There were no similar exclusions from recent proms held by Lewis and Clark, and Ferris high schools.

Sosville, who is half African-American, claims race was a factor in the school’s decision against him. The Spokane native denies ever serving as a gang recruiter. The most serious incident - an assault after a baseball game - was four years ago, he said.

He’s now living in a halfway house for assault and theft convictions last year.

“How long am I going to keep being disciplined against because I’ve made some mistakes?” he asked. “Race is an issue here, because I’m being singled out.”

“He can say what he likes,” said Arndt. “We have never made (race) a consideration.”

Sosville has contacted Spokane civil rights attorney Bevan Maxey and is considering taking legal action.

“He did his time - leave the boy alone,” said his mother, Debbie Sosville. “All he wants to do is take his girl to the prom.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo