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Owen Labrie, 19, of Vermont, pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault. Authorities say the incident stems from an alleged school tradition known as the "Senior Salute" in which graduating senior men attempt to take the virginity of younger female students, according to Fox News.
The school's board of trustees has three members from the Fairfield County community that hail from Greenwich and New Canaan.
The institution also features prominent graduates that include the current Secretary of State John Kerry, Fox News said.
Jury selection for the trial began on Monday. In preparation, the school released the following statement:
"As the Labrie trial begins, you may read or hear allegations surrounding those involved in the situation, as well as about the School. These are, indeed, allegations and not proven facts, and the judicial system will weigh them and determine how this case is ultimately resolved. We will move past this as a School community, stronger, united, and committed, as always, to ensuring our students' safety and wellbeing. Allegations about our culture are not emblematic of our school or our values, our rules, or the people that represent our student body, alumni, faculty, and staff."
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