Classmates of a Parkview High School senior fighting to clear his name plan to show their support Wednesday during a pair of back-to-back holiday music assemblies.

The students, who plan to sit on the gym floor, hope a "peaceful protest" will persuade school officials to reconsider the scope of discipline given to Gavin Devic by lifting the athletic suspension and backing the teen's efforts to regain A+ scholarship eligibility.

They say Devic has not been given a fair shake.

"He is basically the ideal student. He is in AP classes. He has school spirit. He is a three-sport athlete," said Sarah Barnts, 17, who helped organize the sit-in on social media. "He is the nicest person and this doesn't make any sense."

It's unclear how many students will participate in the protest but Barnts predicts interest will be high.

"It's important to do this," she said. "We are trying to stand up for someone who is a good person and doesn't deserve the punishment."

Devic, who recently told his story to the News-Leader, admits he made a mistake when he caught a ride to the Dec. 2 school dance with a friend who had allegedly been smoking marijuana.

A school incident report shows when questioned by school police at the dance, Devic "denied using marijuana" and was searched "but nothing illegal or prohibited by the school" was found. However, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found in the friend's car.

Suspected of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, both teens were given a 10-day out-of-school suspension although Devic's stint was shortened to seven days because he agreed to take a behavioral risk assessment.

Parkview High teen fights suspension, loss of A+ scholarship

As a result of the school suspension, Devic — who says he had never been in trouble before — was banned from participating in school athletics and activities for 28 days and became ineligible for the A+ scholarship, which would have paid for tuition at in-state, two-year colleges.

Devic, who has to rely on scholarships to go to college, met with school officials but they have been unwilling to budge.

He provided the results of a drug test, taken the Monday after the dance, showing there were no controlled substances in his system. The friend also accompanied him to the high school and wrote a statement saying the drugs and paraphernalia in the car belonged to him, not Devic.

"As far as we know, he has proven himself innocent," Barnts said. "The administration has refused to listen."

The News-Leader story generated high interest on social media and spurred classmates, coaches and community members to reach out to Devic. He said the support, while appreciated, has been overwhelming.

He received calls from a prominent local attorney, a reporter from the Huffington Post and Glendale High School students interested in interviewing him for a documentary.

"It means a lot to me because when everything was happening, I felt so alone," he said. "I have much love for the Parkview and Springfield community."

Devic said he talked to a reporter only after efforts to resolve the situation in a "low key" way, by appealing the school officials, went nowhere.

"People have been messaging me saying if I'd start a Go Fund Me page, they'd help me pay for an attorney," he said. "I don't want to do that because the only thing an attorney can do is sue."

Devic said he hopes a resolution can be found in time for him to compete in Parkview's holiday wrestling tournament, Dec. 29-30. The team captain and last year's MVP, he has notched 75 career wins and was on track to demolish the school record and achieve a personal goal of 100 wins.

He also hoped an award-winning wrestling season would spur college recruiters to make offers.

The News-Leader sought comment from the district Tuesday about the status of Devic's discipline. Teresa Bledsoe, director of communications, said: "At this point, we don't have anything new to share regarding this student's situation."

Asked if district or Parkview officials had been contacted by the public regarding the situation, Bledsoe said she didn't know.

Devic, who returned to school Dec. 14, was taking finals Friday when he started to hear whispers about the protest. "I appreciate all the students who support me. It means a lot, especially because I didn't ask them to do it."

Barnts said Parkview school officials heard about the protest plans and called her into the office Friday. She said they tried to convince her it was a bad idea.

"They told me it wasn't going to make a difference but we're going to try," she said. "We want to help Gavin."

Jahana Hamilton, a senior at Parkview, has known Devic since they were classmates at Sunshine Elementary.

"Gavin has always been an exemplary student. He is really nice," she said. "He is the type of person that when there is a kid who is sitting by himself, he goes over and sits by him."

Protest organizers said they want to show their support for Devic while also being respectful of the music teachers and students who have practiced for weeks to get ready for the assembly.

For that reason, Hamilton said protesters plan to sit quietly on the gym floor unless they are performing. She plans to sing with the choir and then take a seat.

"I'm going to participate," she said. "I am going to sit and honor my friend Gavin because he is worth it."