A condom costume is at the center of a school controversy in Orange County.

Dr. Phillips High School Senior Jack Englund dressed in a Trojan Man costume Tuesday as part of Spirit Week at the school.

The 17-year-old said he wanted to send a message about safe sex to his peers.

But before first period his teacher saw him and sent him to school administrators, who told him to take it off.

"It's not the way I would have liked to get the message out there under such negative circumstances with the school administration," Englund said. "But in the long run it probably does reach more people."

"I think he has learned more today then how many weeks or months at school," said mother Sandra Englund.

Both Jack and his mother said kids are exposed to worse on the internet and television and believe the costume sent a positive message.

But school leaders said the costume violates the district's code of conduct.