Helicopter used to ask girl to dance

• Tweet

NOKESVILLE, Va., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Students at a Virginia school are abuzz after a boy employed the use of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter to ask a female classmate to a dance.

Victoria Burress, 17, said her friend, whose father works as a senior official in air operations at the agency, had the helicopter fly low over the grounds at Patriot High School in Nokesville shortly after the end of school Wednesday and parachuted a stuffed bulldog down to the football field with a note attached asking her to the Fall Fest dance, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The Post said the boy's name was not released because he and his parents declined to comment.

"He knew it was my senior year, and I've been asked some pretty creative ways before this," Burress said. "Everyone thinks that we like each other, but it's not like that at all. It's just unusual to be that close with a guy and to have him still do something nice for you."

CBP officials said an investigation has been opened into the incident.

"We are aware of reports that a locally based CBP helicopter was used improperly by local CBP personnel Sept. 12," officials said in a statement. "CBP management is looking into the matter and the pilot in command of the aircraft has been relieved and reassigned to administrative duties pending completion of the review of the incident."

Irene Cromer, a Prince William County Public Schools spokeswoman, said the school's principal was made aware of the stunt ahead of time and gave approval.

"It was completely authorized," Cromer said. "They did ask for permission. They were granted permission."