Atrisco Heritage principal replaced, staff put on leave after prom drag performance

Albuquerque Public Schools replaced the principal of Atrisco Heritage Academy and multiple employees were put on leave after a drag performance played out during the high school’s prom.

By Thursday morning, Principal Irene Cisneros’ name was scrubbed from the school’s staff listing, and Anthony Lovato had been named acting principal.

APS spokesman Martin Salazar said Lovato took over the role on Wednesday.

Salazar would not say which employees were placed on leave or if Cisneros, who has been principal for several years, would be returning to the school.

“We cannot comment on any specific personnel matters,” he said. “We can, however, confirm that employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Salazar said the investigation will determine if any APS policies were violated.

Cisneros could not be reached Thursday.

The announcement came days after videos surfaced over social media showing a man who goes by “Mythica” in drag, dancing for students at the school’s prom on Saturday at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

In the three-minute video, students formed a large circle around the man, dancing in a wig, bodysuit and heeled boots, with students screaming and clapping enthusiastically throughout the performance.

One student yelled, “Oh my gosh,” and appeared to know the person performing by name.

“First of all, if you don’t clap, I might die. No, I’m kidding,” the performer tells the students at one point, holding a microphone. “Second off, love y’all but this is my stage right now, not yours. Take pictures from afar — lighting can be homophobic. It’s not cute.”

“Last rule of all, if you see a tit pad fly out, mind your business. We’re grown, mind your business, don’t touch that.”

The performer then asks, “Who is ready?” to an eruption of screams and applause from the students. He replied, “I feel so loved, muah!” and the dancing begins.

At one point, the man pulls out a breast pad and dabs his sweaty forehead to screams from several entertained teens nearby. Toward the end of the video, the man dances over to a girl, and the pair dance together into the center of the floor.

The video has been widely shared across social media, with parents expressing outrage. Some parents called for Cisneros to be fired and, in one comment, for the dancer to be arrested.

On Wednesday, an email sent to parents by Chief of Schools Channell Segura and Mark Garcia, associate superintendent of leadership, learning and equity.

“I’m reaching out regarding a performance by a non-APS individual that occurred at last week’s prom. Please know that the district is aware of the performance and has begun an investigation to determine what occurred and how students were impacted,” according to the email.

The email asks that any parents with “concerns regarding this matter” call the Student, Parent, and Employee Service Center.

By Thursday morning, some parents were celebrating Lovato’s appointment as principal, saying Cisneros had been “replaced.” A second email from Segura and Garcia sent to parents Thursday asked them to “join us in welcoming Mr. Lovato to the Atrisco Heritage Academy Community.”