Wellston Schools Condemn KKK Costume Photos

Photos from a 2026 off-campus Halloween gathering in Wellston, Oklahoma, showing current and former students in Ku Klux Klan costumes sparked community outrage and renewed concern about racism. The school district said it did not sponsor or condone the gathering, called the images disappointing and heartbreaking, and urged families to discuss respect and the community’s history; it has not disclosed whether students faced discipline, citing privacy protections. Some people connected to the photos apologized, while a local business said it removed one participant from its senior representative team. A former student described experiencing racial harassment at school and argued that apologies are not enough and those involved should be held accountable. Community advocates called for education and conversation about the Klan’s history, racism and the harm caused by the images.