Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette Zach Metiva was crowned as Michigan Technological University’s first Winter Carnival Queen Saturday night before having the title removed Sunday due to unspecified inappropriate behavior.

HOUGHTON — Michigan Technological University’s original Winter Carnival Queen was removed due to a picture of him drinking champagne while wearing his sash, he said in a statement Monday.

Zack Metiva, Tech’s first male queen or candidate, was stripped of his title Sunday, less than a day after being crowned at the Rozsa Center. Riley Simpson, previously first runner-up, was named as the new queen.

Later that night, Metiva said, he had been celebrating with his friends at home when the photo was taken without his knowledge, he said.

“I am disappointed that the Blue Key executive board took the action to rescind my title, but my understanding is that it is the view of the University and Blue Key that consuming alcohol is not encouraged during Winter Carnival,” he said in the statement. “I ran for Queen in order to challenge the view that the queen has to be female and I wanted to make certain that anyone, regardless of gender expression, could feel like royalty during Winter Carnival. I hope that this turn of events does not discourage anyone from running for the position in the future.”

Metiva, a fourth-year student, is of legal drinking age. However, the photo was judged to violate Winter Carnival rules. No alcohol or intoxication is allowed at any Winter Carnival event, and disorderly conduct can result in disqualification. according to the Winter Carnival rule book.

Someone else at the party had posted the photo on a social-media site with the caption “Here’s to beiing better than Greek life.”

By the next morning, the Blue Key Honor Society executive board and advisors had learned of the post, and wanted to discuss it with Metiva, he said. Metiva did not know who sent the photo to the board, he said in a message Monday. It had also been posted to a Michigan Tech parents’ Facebook group, he said.

Based on his conversation with the board and the formal email notification he received, he was not removed because of the caption, Metiva said.

“I did not write that caption and it was posted without my knowledge, meaning as far as I’m aware, it was not a factor in the decision,” Metiva said in a message Monday afternoon. “I’ve been dealing with that caption separately. Even though it was not my writing, I had the individual take the post down later that night because I don’t agree with it.”

In a response to Metiva’s statement, the university backed Blue Key’s decision.

“Winter Carnival is one of Michigan Tech’s oldest and proudest traditions, and it is a celebration run entirely by students,” the university said. “We are aware of the decision made yesterday by the Blue Key Honor Society. We respect and stand beside Blue Key in their review and decision, and we continue to support the students who work so hard to make Winter Carnival a success.”

E-mails were sent to several Blue Key officials Monday afternoon seeking comment.