Teen Gets $30,000 Check on 'Ellen' Show

3/19/2010
Erica Sanderson
Constance McMillen was honored for fighting for gay rights.

Constance McMillen just nabbed a sweet payday. McMillen, who challenged her high school’s ban on bringing same-sex partners to the prom, appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Friday.

After DeGeneres praised McMillen for her courage and strength, the comedienne forked over a $30,000 check to the teen from Tonic.com, USA Today reports.

The paper also says the donation is for McMillen’s college education, and the Web site also offered her a summer internship in New York.

McMillen, 18, filed a federal lawsuit against Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Miss., after the school canceled the prom since McMillen tried to overturn the policy of no same-sex prom dates, USA Today reports. McMillen was also denied the option of wearing a tuxedo to the event instead of a dress.

According to USA Today, the American Civil Liberties Union's Mississippi chapter helped McMillen file the lawsuit that is scheduled for a Monday hearing.

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