Cicero, NY - A Cicero-North Syracuse High School student suspended for tweeting about the district's failed 2013-14 school budget had no idea his words and actions would resonate with so many people, he said today.

Patrick Brown created the hashtag #shitCNSshouldcut on Twitter Wednesday to address the things the district could cut in its budget for next year.

On Thursday, Brown said, he was suspended for three days for using a cell phone in class and inciting a social media riot that disrupted the learning environment.

Since posting his first tweet about the issue, Brown has heard from CNN, local media, CNS alumns, students throughout Central New York and people across the country, he said.

He's gained more than 400 followers on Twitter in one day, the hashtag #FreePatBrown has been created, and he's received supportive emails from people in places like Maine, New York, New Jersey and Minneapolis, he said.

"The thought of so many people talking about me in a positive way is just awesome. It feels like people are not only talking about it, but they're supporting it too," he said.

For Brown leaving high school having reached so many students makes the moment memorable for him despite the suspension.

"I got into it to defend myself," he said. "I never imagined that it would turn into this but it feels great to leave my school knowing that I touched a lot of students."

Brown, who said he has never been in trouble with the district before, was not the only student punished for his actions. His friend, CNS senior Jamie Roberts, said she was suspended for five days after using the same hashtag and threatening emoticons in her own tweet calling for a teacher to be cut.

Roberts said the high school principal called her mother and said that her tweet was considered a threat. As a result Roberts was suspended for five days and is not allowed to attend the senior ball.

Roberts, who already spent money on a dress will not be allowed to attend the event, she said. When she called Brown crying, he said, he couldn't help but feel responsible.

"I started the hashtag and she got suspended for five days because I started something," he said. "I was angry."

Both Roberts' and Brown's tweets have since been taken down.

North Syracuse Central School District Superintendent Dr. Kim Dyce Faucette was aware of the situation, but could not comment on disciplinary matters related to specific pupils, she said.

Brown said he hasn't heard from the school or the district since he was suspended.

Students have voiced their own opinion about Brown's suspension via Twitter.

Rumors have surfaced about a walkout and some students tweeted that they'll be making T-shirts to support Brown, but as far as he knows nothing has been planned, he said.

Brown will attend Canisius College in the fall to study physical education. He wants to become a teacher. He said the experience has made him more aware of what can be done when you believe in something.

"Just because I'm a kid from a small town doesn't mean I can't impact people," he said. "Anyone can do anything."

Mary Brown, his mother, wasn't shocked to hear that her son voiced his opinion but was surprised to hear about his punishment, she said.

Patrick Brown is the youngest of her four children and has always loved expressing himself using social media, she said. She describes Patrick as a likeable guy with a lot of friends, and a great sense of humor.

"He plays on the high school lacrosse team, volunteers within the district and is active in his community, but he's the type of child that if he's wronged he'll stick up for himself," she said.

Mary Brown didn't think her son deserved three days of suspension for what he did.

"Social media is an open forum and I think he just wanted to post something to get people talking about the issues and I don't see anything wrong with that," she said.

"I think that this experience has taught him that he can be taken seriously and it's given other kids a voice to say something and stand up for what they believe in," she said.