A Bound Brook High School senior says that she was devastated after a racist comment was made during the school’s virtual awards presentation Thursday night.

Senior Aliyah Saleem says that it was supposed to be a happy occasion, but instead turned into a nightmare.

“My world kind of just turned upside down in the matter of seconds due to a very hatred and racial comment that was made,” she says.

Saleem was receiving the principal’s award during the Zoom presentation when someone wrote a racial slur in the chat, using a derogatory alias.

“Instantly my heart just fell to the floor. I was distraught, mostly because my family members and peers and friends were included in the Zoom and they had to witness this horrendous incident,” she says.

Saleem’s friend Keren Sandi Sequeira attended the presentation and saw the comment.

“I just felt like my friends have gone through enough. I have witnessed enough and witnessing one thing is enough, so I just felt like right away we needed to take action this time,” Sandi Sequeira says.

The two friends created a Facebook and Instagram page dedicated to promoting love and awareness about black lives throughout their community.

“I just want them to know that this comment did not destroy me. If anything, it has made me and my family stronger,” Saleem says.

Bound Brook School Superintendent Daniel Gallagher says that a student has confessed to posting the comment.

“We are handling the situation as per our code of conduct, along with the local authorities for state and federal laws pertaining to this incident,” Gallagher wrote in a letter to the community.

The superintendent also says that although there was much speculation in the community about who could have made the comment, it is important not to rush to judgment.

“The individual that has confessed is not any of the students named on Facebook. I would like to take this time to remind parents and individuals that making accusations without proof is just as damaging as this incident,” Gallagher wrote.