Not Your Prom King And Queen: California Students In Hot Water Over 'Promposal' Picture With Racial Slur

Two students from Southern California could possibly miss out on their chance to be prom king and queen after their controversial “promposal” picture vent viral.

The photo showed the two unnamed students from Palos Verdes High School posing with a sign asking one of the students to prom. It had the student’s name written on, followed by “you are racist but I would give anything for you to go with me to prom.” They also capitalized and bolded certain letters in it to spell out the N-word.

The photo sparked instant blowback from students and parents, alike.

“We have been in touch with the identified students and their families to inform them that we are forming a response and anticipate severe consequences,” Palos Verdes High School Principal Dr. Allan Tyner said in an email NBC News obtained. Tyner said the students in question would likely face "severe consequences."

The LA Times reported on Wednesday that "officials have declined to say what specifically the students face."

It is unclear how the photo was posted on social media. Freshman Ava McCoy said that neither student in the picture had originally posted it to either of their social accounts.

“I find the sign highly offensive and extremely hurtful being a person of color,” McCoy said. “I think this behavior is intolerable and students need to be educated on the subject.”

The Palos Verdes Police Department has said it would have increased presence in the area ahead of the prom.