Prom is supposed to be
a time of enjoyment and is considered one of the most exciting and anticipated
events of many teenagers’ high school career. Teens have been preparing for this
dance for as long as they can remember; picking out the perfect dress, planning
how they will do their hair, and, of course, deciding whom they will go with.
However, this year many teens’ idea of a “perfect” prom was shattered by some
new rules concerning dancing that, according to administrators, are meant to
give the dance a safe and enjoyable atmosphere. While some see the rules as
outrageous, others do not think these rules will make any difference on their
prom experience at all.
In the past there were
no formally enforced rules. However, after inappropriate dancing and apparel
were continually seen by administrators and parents, many of them believed that
the dance floor was in direct need of some new rules and enforcement.
Walkersville High School was the first school in the area to adopt new dance
guidelines and Middletown High School’s administration followed their lead.
“As teachers and as
administrators, we appreciate having these rules in place; we believe kids can
still have fun and follow the new rules,” said MHS Assistant Principal Jenny
Bartkus.
The rules were
distributed to seniors during the senior meeting on April 15. They included such
guidelines as the requirement of a photo ID to enter the dance. Other rules that
were quick to receive criticism from students regarded sexually explicit dancing
such as “grinding,” “freaking,” or “sandwiching.”
”We might as well
throw in some ’40s swing music and poodle skirts and we’ll be good to go,” said
MHS junior Shannon Sweeney.
Students reacted in
various ways, but many feel that the music of today encourages such behaviors
and the rules will not stop what is going to happen.
MHS senior Shae
Beckner said, “We think of it as the norm; it’s how we dance.”
Many of the ladies feel some
concern about the limits on dresses and clothing.
The guidelines only restrict the
donning of hats, muscle shirts, “booty” dresses, midriff shirts or dresses
sporting a plunging neckline. Even so, some girls wonder if they will be given
trouble over dresses with open backs, or even sleeveless
designs.
MHS senior Hannah Darr confessed a
slight unease over the reaction dance chaperones may have about a hole cut in
the side of her dress. Although the hole is meant to be fashionable, Darr said,
she expects administration “will probably take it too far.”
Another rule that
caused confusion was the regulation about not bringing guests in grades K-8 or
adults older than 20. Many took this rule the wrong way.
“I think it’s insulting that they
think I would bring anyone in kindergarten to the dance,” said MHS junior Matt
Wein.
Despite some limitations on what is
acceptable at this year’s prom, most students feel that the rules really won’t
make much of a difference. Some students feel that for the most part, the rules
are acceptable and not designed to take away from the dance but, instead, to
ensure a smooth, safe experience for everyone.
“Regardless of the rules on the
sheet and all of the rumors, I trust our prom committee to pull through and make
it an enjoyable dance for all of us,” said MHS junior Brooke
Ritter.
The administration is confident that
these rules will have no effect on who attends the dance.
“The rules won’t have
any impact (initially), but when they see we are serious about it, they will
back off,” said Bartkus.
Some believe that the rules will
actually encourage students to break them.
“I feel that making a
long list of rules just beads on students to want to break them,“ said MHS
junior Kyler Swillley.
However, for those who decide to
break the rules, the administration said there will be consequences. Students
caught violating the rules will be removed from the dance and their parents will
be called, according to Bartkus. This could potentially lead to a suspension
and/or expulsion, according to the sheet that was distributed and signed by
everyone planning to attend the dance. Some students were surprised that an
entire sheet dedicated to stating the rules of the dance was printed and handed
out.
“I understand where they’re coming
from, but making a paper and passing it out was a little much,” said Beckner.
She later added that she thought printing the rules on the back of the ticket
would have been enough.
While the new rules might appear
annoying to many students, the adminstration said that the guidelines are meant
for the best.
Bartkus said that the
guidelines might cause the number of people going to the dance to dwindle, but
soon enough, no one will see the regulations as a drawback.
“The rules will work,
over time,” said Bartkus. “It will take time for it to become a part of the
culture.”
by: Casey Film
We Tried to leave comments & just link back but it would not accept comments, so here is our View:
Its hard to change things like this! Schools let it get this far and did not care until the parents were on their backs... so who is to blame the teens?
The Popularity of Prom will Diminish and the whole tradition will be ruined, its unfortunate, but we see this trend due to the lack of budget put into the DJs hired, and the enforcement of new rules.
Prom is a Dance just like all the others, except the attire is more formal and maybe you get dinner.
Besides that its a Dance Hire a good DJ - and let the students have their 4 hours of safe fun...
Cher!
