Principal Cancels Prom

[Roadtoad]

Long Island high school prom has been cancelled. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051015/ap_on_fe_st/prom_canceled)

Enough was enough, Hoagland said. So the principal of Kellenberg Memorial High School fired off a 2,000-word missive to parents at the start of the school year informing them that the Catholic school would no longer put on the spring prom.

"It is not primarily the sex/booze/drugs that surround this event, as problematic as they might be; it is rather the flaunting of affluence, assuming exaggerated expenses, a pursuit of vanity for vanity's sake — in a word, financial decadence," Brother Hoagland said, fed up with what he calls the "bacchanalian aspects" of the prom.

"Each year it gets worse — becomes more exaggerated, more expensive, more emotionally traumatic," he added. "We are withdrawing from the battle and allowing the parents full responsibility. (Kellenberg) is willing to sponsor a prom, but not an orgy."

I almost want to say it's about time. Proms have become more about flaunting what your parents have, rather than being about one special night with a girl you're crazy about at a particular time in your life. And, frankly, I'm finding it's counter-productive to what schools are supposed to be about.

Your thoughts?

[Anti_Hypeman]

When I went 11 years ago it was $80 just for tickets plus tux, pictures, dinner, I was out like $300 and didnt even get any. Ever since I have been anti prom cancel them all I say.

The students should wise up a realise they can take a date to vegas for the weekend and have a real good time for that kind of money.

[jj]

When I went 11 years ago it was $80 just for tickets plus tux, pictures, dinner, I was out like $300 and didnt even get any. Ever since I have been anti prom cancel them all I say.

The students should wise up a realise they can take a date to vegas for the weekend and have a real good time for that kind of money.

You can be sure I didn't go to mine. Of course, since I was one of the mill kids who wouldn't amount to anything and who should go stag anyhow, and it took approximately my spending money for 6 months just to get in the door, it really wasn't an issue. Of course, that was the point, it was supposed to keep our kind out anyhow.

Then again, I wasn't exactly, well, devastated, either, to say the least.

And I moved out the day I went to college. D'oh!

[Roadtoad]

You can be sure I didn't go to mine. Of course, since I was one of the mill kids who wouldn't amount to anything and who should go stag anyhow, and it took approximately my spending money for 6 months just to get in the door, it really wasn't an issue. Of course, that was the point, it was supposed to keep our kind out anyhow.

Then again, I wasn't exactly, well, devastated, either, to say the least.

And I moved out the day I went to college. D'oh!

Know the feeling well, Amigo. I wasn't supposed to amount to anything, either, but I think all things considered, I did pretty well, prom or not.

[eri]

Yeah, the amount that parents spend on the prom seems to grow exponentially year to year. And it's not only the prom. Anyone see that show on MTV, 'Sweet Sixteen' or something like that? Basically, they followed around a bunch of spoiled brats as they planned their $20,000+ parties. It just seems ridiculous. What kind of a message are you sending to these kids? The ones on the show are obviously too far gone, but what about the kids who watch it and then decide that their parents should do the same for them?

And yeah, I didn't get any either, so I'm bitter. :) But people - it's just one night. I don't even remember it that well. That's not saying much, I don't remember last week very well either. But when you think about what ELSE you could do with that money, is it really so important to dress up like a pretty pretty princess for a few hours?

[TragicMonkey]

And it's not only the prom. Anyone see that show on MTV, 'Sweet Sixteen' or something like that?

I found "Cribs" to be just as offensive in the sheer waste of money. I was flipping the channels and caught some professional bicycle rider (how is that even possible?!?!) with too much wealth showing off what he was pleased to call his "library". There were no books in it. He appeared to believe a library is "a place where I keep things that are special to me" like trophies and bad abstract art. Not books.

I really hope he falls off his bicycle and breaks something serious.

[CFLarsen]

and caught some professional bicycle rider (how is that even possible?!?!)

Must be the spandex shorts.

Ever witnessed women getting wet over soccer players? It's all in the legs....

[TragicMonkey]

Must be the spandex shorts.

Ever witnessed women getting wet over soccer players? It's all in the legs....


I'm pretty sure he wasn't the Lance Armstrong kind of bicycle rider, but the kind that does commercials for soda that is curiously yellow in color and tries to sell itself by overusing the word "extreme". The only thing I can think of that would make a soda "extreme" would be serving it in ridiculously copious amounts, or possibly freezing it into a gigantic block then making life-sized dinosaur sculptures out of it. A tyrannosaur doing battle with a styracosaur would be fairly interesting to see sculpted out of frozen soda. Only I wouldn't trust this bicycle person to get the correct number of horns on the styracosaur. He'd have to consult his library for a dinosaur book and would come up emptyhanded.

[rebecca]

I'm pretty sure he wasn't the Lance Armstrong kind of bicycle rider, but the kind that does commercials for soda that is curiously yellow in color and tries to sell itself by overusing the word "extreme".

"Extreme?" I don't under . . . oooh, you mean "X-TREME!"

I'd just like to point out the aburdity of the CATHOLIC CHURCH banning financial decadence.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?!

[TragicMonkey]

I'd just like to point out the aburdity of the CATHOLIC CHURCH banning financial decadence.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?!

Ah, you don't understand. The Church has no problem with money at all. It's just that it's sinful to enjoy the money, rather than doing good things with it, like, I don't know, contributing to the archdiocese legal defense fund. Every tuxedo rental is another minute a lawyer could be defending a priest in court.

[CBL4]

I hate this kind of crap. A few people screw up and so the vast majority has to suffer.

I think proms are stupid but I know that they are very important to some people. I almost went to my prom solely because it meant a lot to a girl I knew. Fortunately, she was asked by someone else who had a more promly spirit than I did.

It is pathetic that people like her are being deprived by an overbearing principal.

CBL

[TragicMonkey]

I hate this kind of crap. A few people screw up and so the vast majority has to suffer.

I think proms are stupid but I know that they are very important to some people. I almost went to my prom solely because it meant a lot to a girl I knew. Fortunately, she was asked by someone else who had a more promly spirit than I did.

It is pathetic that people like her are being deprived by an overbearing principal.



Especially since the sort of rich kids who have these wild parties are hardly going to stop having them because the event won't be school-sponsored. They can afford to have a private prom of their own, where the poorer kids can't.

I guess it's part of the education process: learning that if you're rich, you can have anything you want.

[Boo]

I didn't go to my Prom, then again I wasn't asked either. (Bitter, me bitter, why would I be bitter about not being able to experience the pentultimate experience of High School? Graduation, of course being the ultimate.)

Besides the dress and getting the hair and nails done, do the girls occur any other expenses or do they all go dutch? It sounds like the Prom is more of an expense for the guys then the girls. Baby Boo is in the 10th grade this year so it's not a truly frantic event, next year though.......*shudder*



Boo

[thaiboxerken]

Good. Schools are for learning, not partying.

[Ducky]

I misread this and thought some principality had cancelled porn on the net.

I was seriously depressed for a few seconds there.


Carry on...

[Whyatica]

Prom is vastly overrated, at least at my high school. I talked to a friend of mine in the senior class, and said that he went into hock for somewhere around 3 months to go to something he hated anyway.
[/anecdote]

I haven't been to a dance at my school yet (I'm a sophomore), and I doubt I will. The school charges an arm and a leg to get in the door, much less anything else.
I went to my high school's Homecoming football game and had a far better time with my friends than any dance could have been.

[jj]

I hate this kind of crap. A few people screw up and so the vast majority has to suffer.


Well, if that's what's happening, I understand your position. On the other hand, my experience is that a prom is a way for the haves to lord it over the have-nots.

Don't we see enough of that every time the president speaks?

[Kiless]

Four people were involved in a near fatal accident on the way to my Year 12 ball after their parents gave them celebratory champagne before they drove out. We could see the lights of the ambulance from the hall balcony.
One was paralysed for life, another lost use of her left hand and the rest suffered concussion / bruising.

I kinda have a dim view of such things after that experience and despite all the schools I have worked at having a policy of 'no before / afters parties' and threats of breath tests, I know they still go on.

And don't talk to me about dresses. I mean, 'my mother got this in Paris for me from Chanel' sort of garbage. Yerk.

This year there was a bit of a scandal when one of the security guards for the Year 12 ball revealed to the Deputy Principal that he needed to speak to one of the students because he was 'supervising at her afters party as a part of another security job and she was yet to finalise payment for it'. Oooops...

[Jeff Corey]

On Long Island, the Prom is a big thing, with strech Hummers being rented so the kiddies don't OD on DWI.
I went to a small high school in central Connecticut in the 50s. The financial cost was minimal, but the emotional crisis was acute.

[Zep]

Me? Nope. I was excruciatingly embarrassed just being myself, let alone looking forward to any social interactions in mixed company. I got over that a bit later...in my own time. And it was all so long ago and far away now that the pain of being a permanent dorky nerd has more or less faded...


*sob*

Well, almost.

[Kiless]

Well, almost.

I'd go with you but I'd clearly have to BYO wetsuit. :)

[CBL4]

I can't get pseudofed past 9PM because someone might make meth out of it.
20 year olds can't drink because someone might drink and drive.
Kids can't take aspirin to school because someone might bring illegal drugs to school.
Kids can't go to a prom because someone might do something stupid.

CBL

[Mephisto]

I didn't actually "go" to my senior prom because I was working as a roadie for the band that played at the prom. I got paid for having far more fun than anyone at the prom AND I didn't have to rent a tux.

Can you say "groupies?"

[Soapy Sam]

What is a prom anyway? Just a leaving school dance?
I remember the day I left school, I danced most of the way home.
It didn't cost me a penny.

[athon]

It's interesting seeing both sides of the issue, once as a student (didn't go, because it seemed like a party for particular members of school society), and now as a teacher (seeing the different social groups).

I would never argue that it should be banned, but it is definitely a segregation event. The 'have nots', the 'haves', the 'have lots'. But society is like that as well, and I can't say I did poorly out of not going. I've been to some wicked 'high class' parties since.

Athon

[TriangleMan]

I find my opinion on this muddled by the fact that it is a Catholic school. If it were a secular public school then I'm not sure if cancelling the prom was the right thing to do, but a Catholic school probably shouldn't be hosting events that imply supporting things that go against their "moral values".

Schools are not obliged to have a prom anyway. Last night I spoke with one American lady who went to a Catholic school and she said that they did not have a prom but instead the school organized a black-tie banquet. Students still had an opportunity to dress up, rent limos, etc. but as it was a banquet there was a lot less of the drinking and other problems. If students/parents organized some kind of after-banquet party that was their business.

[Mephisto]

. . . , but a Catholic school probably shouldn't be hosting events that imply supporting things that go against their "moral values".

But the theme for the prom was "Buggering the Bishop" and the kids all worked so hard on the decorations! It's a shame that a bunch of spoil sports have to ruin it for everyone!

[green_rabbit]

Prom is waaaay over rated. That, and it costs too much. What kind of person would pay $150 for a dance with dinner? It's crazy...then again, $35 for a normal school dance is kind of crappy too.

[wastepanel]

Uhhhhh...what prom were you guys going to? My prom was:

Tux: $100
Dinner: $60
Tickets: $25
Coursaige: $20

I don't consider myself rich at all. I didn't go overboard for the experience also. I just had fun? Isn't that what prom was supposed to be about?

[ysabella]

I think proms are overrated, too. I went to mine Junior year, taking a good friend as my date, and had fun; I skipped it Senior year. I think my dress was $70, the tickets were $50 or something, dinner probably $50. But there were gals there in $300 dresses, people who had booked hotel rooms (presumably their parents had booked them), and so on. Whatever! This was late 1980s Silicon Valley.

I've heard of proms where there's some point in the evening where the guys take garters off the girls' legs. What is that about?

[kittynh]

hhhmmmmm....

My boyfriend offered to take me to NYCity for a big dinner and even had a limo pick us up at the airport. He flew me in. No way was he going to PROM. Dating high school boys in high school? No way! I was too cool for the prom. And from what I heard, I am so glad I missed it! I just did high school, but mentally I was OUT of there long before graduation.

Right now I see it with my daughter. When she graduated from middle school she had to have an expensive dress. We went to a vintage store, and even then it was over $100.

She and her friends love the "My Sweet Sixteen" show on MTV. But they all agree, those girls (and boys) are AWFUL! I did catch one of the new shows "Run's House" about the rapper turned preacher and his family. He actually PUT HIS FOOT DOWN and scaled back the lavish party his daughter was planning. She was also getting the party because she had such good grades. At one point she was in her room crying NOT because she wasn't getting the big party, but because she thought her dad would think she was greedy. In the end she actually thanked her father for the party (which was really nice, but simple) and her dad surpirsed her with a car. Which to be honest, she deserved after watching those sweet 16 girls whine....

My own daughters 16 is coming up. All the girls are thinking there should be some BIG to do, hey, if you aren't turning 15 and hispanic forget it! But her dad and I will do something MORE for her, just so that she doesn't feel "left out" of this trend. I know there were always sweet 16 parties, but I'm thinking a large pan pizza, and maybe bread sticks!

[jj]

Uhhhhh...what prom were you guys going to? My prom was:

Tux: $100
Dinner: $60
Tickets: $25
Coursaige: $20

I don't consider myself rich at all. I didn't go overboard for the experience also. I just had fun? Isn't that what prom was supposed to be about?

That's about double what it would have cost me. At the time, that would have amounted to at least 6 months of spending money, if not a year's.

[LostAngeles]

My prom had its moments. Mom made sure she had the $100 to buy me a very beautiful iridescent dress at Sears. (I still have it. If anyone of you has a daughter who's a size three and has a prom or the like coming up, I'll be more than happy to pass it on.)

We managed to do the prom for fairly cheap, but I have to admit: only worth it for wearing a very pretty dress.

[CFLarsen]

a very beautiful iridescent dress

I read that as "indecent".

[Jyera]

I read that as "indecent".
Have you figured the scientific explanation as to why that happened?

[LostAngeles]

I read that as "indecent".

Rule 21/2 states that Danes are not allowed to think naughty thoughts about Americans. Don't make me report you.

[Roadtoad]

Rule 21/2 states that Danes are not allowed to think naughty thoughts about Americans. Don't make me report you.

That's not fair. I think naughty thoughts about Danes all the time. :D

[LostAngeles]

That's not fair. I think naughty thoughts about Danes all the time. :D

Ah yes, but you're an American thinking naughty thoughts about the Danish (but not the cheese one. That violates rule e.) Perfectly acceptable.

[BillHoyt]

I read that as "indecent".

A gownless evening strap perhaps?

[Ryokan]

The principal should come to Norway and witness the 'russ celebration', which is how Norwegian students celebrate the end of high school.

It's half a month of partying, drinking and having sex.

[Jas]

We didn't have prom, but we had grad.

I couldn't find any dresses I liked, so I ended up renting one from the costume shop (I was the token goth back in hs). It was rad - deep blue velvet and silk, with a crinoline - like something out of a renaissance fair. And afterwards, everyone got drunk.

Um, why would parents rent a hotel room for their kids?!?

[Roadtoad]

The principal should come to Norway and witness the 'russ celebration', which is how Norwegian students celebrate the end of high school.

It's half a month of partying, drinking and having sex.

Just my luck; I'm in my 40's.

[Kilted_Canuck]

We didn't have prom, but we had grad.

I couldn't find any dresses I liked, so I ended up renting one from the costume shop (I was the token goth back in hs). It was rad - deep blue velvet and silk, with a crinoline - like something out of a renaissance fair. And afterwards, everyone got drunk.

Um, why would parents rent a hotel room for their kids?!?


Same here, we had Grad in place of prom. Only Grade 12's, and even though it was expensive, there was so much fundraising done by parents that we could have a fancy event without it costing very much at all. (I think it was free for the grad, but family members came for 25 bucks each) Everyone allowed themselves to splurge on attire (my parents, in an odd move bought me my own kilt so thats what I wore of course) My date was my ex-girlfriend (she was ex at the time, but we were good friends). Fancy meal, dancing, and following that was the completely parent-planned after-grad.

A group of parents planned and fundraised for the after grad for the entire year, and all details were kept completely secret from students. So an hour after the dance ended we were all put on a bus and taken to a closed down bar and partied (dry) all night. Without alcohol, it was still the most fun most of us had ever had. No worries about people driving drunk or getting in trouble, just a bunch of kids...nearly adults having fun at the end of high school.

By no means we're a rich school, its just a tradition that the parents fundraise and go to local businesses for donations.

[sami_sdata]

I never went to my own prom. Too much expense and too little interest for me. I did go to one 6 years later with a young lady who thought it important and who I wanted to please. That worked out pretty well. Only drinking partying and indecent acts were before and afterward in my apartment. I wasn't aware they were supposed to be part of the prom.

[dann]

The principal should come to Norway and witness the 'russ celebration', which is how Norwegian students celebrate the end of high school.
It's half a month of partying, drinking and having sex.30-35 years ago the Norwegian russ students used to celebrate in Copenhagen. I don't know why, exactly, but I could think of a few reasons. It seemed to be more about drinking, less about partying, but after 14 days of strong Danish beer they would probably believe anything, even that they had actually had sex!

[CFLarsen]

Have you figured the scientific explanation as to why that happened?

Neurons misfiring? (He said, hoping)

[CFLarsen]

Rule 21/2 states that Danes are not allowed to think naughty thoughts about Americans. Don't make me report you.

Please, do! Thank you, Ma'am, may I have another? :D

[CFLarsen]

A gownless evening strap perhaps?

A "spaghetti" dress?

[CFLarsen]

We didn't have prom, but we had grad.

I couldn't find any dresses I liked, so I ended up renting one from the costume shop (I was the token goth back in hs). It was rad - deep blue velvet and silk, with a crinoline - like something out of a renaissance fair. And afterwards, everyone got drunk.

Um, why would parents rent a hotel room for their kids?!?

No idea. I had a standard agreement with my folks: If I were too drunk to come home, don't come home.

One can sleep relatively comfortably in the most incomprehensible places.

[dann]

Originally Posted by LostAngeles :
a very beautiful iridescent dress
I read that as "indecent".
Originally Posted by BillHoyt :
A gownless evening strap perhaps?
A "spaghetti" dress? Give it up, Claus! LostAngeles already told you that it was a size 3. You may not be very tall, but it's still waaaaay too small for you.

[Ceritus]

I went to a total of 5 proms in my life in the span of 2 years my 11th and 12th grade years ofcourse. I didn't spend all that much money maybe about $50 on each of them but it was money I earned working at red lobster!

I never did the whole tux thing and all the women I went out with said I didn't have to worry about doing the whole flower/limo thing so I did just as they said. I showed up at their house in my 89 celebrity with pealing paint on the roof while wearing a dress shirt, pants and tie like a champ.... Its fun to dance but as for it being a school "function" I don't see the neccessity of it. I mean if the students really wanted to have some kind of gathering they could pool their money together and rent out a hall or something right?

[Jas]

Same here, we had Grad in place of prom. Only Grade 12's, and even though it was expensive, there was so much fundraising done by parents that we could have a fancy event without it costing very much at all. (I think it was free for the grad, but family members came for 25 bucks each) Everyone allowed themselves to splurge on attire (my parents, in an odd move bought me my own kilt so thats what I wore of course) My date was my ex-girlfriend (she was ex at the time, but we were good friends). Fancy meal, dancing, and following that was the completely parent-planned after-grad.
Yeah, my dad wore his kilt to mine.

when they had the Toast to the Parents, the guy's grandfather did the reply. And it consisted of (he was MacDonald), how his grandson should be out hunting Campbells, instead of hunting girls.

Out of 600 grad students, I was the only Campbell.

[bagtaggar]

I was working on flight integration of a small payload over at Wallops Island, VA the night of our prom.

Wouldn't trade that for the world.

[pgwenthold]

I went to a total of 5 proms in my life in the span of 2 years my 11th and 12th grade years ofcourse. I didn't spend all that much money maybe about $50 on each of them but it was money I earned working at red lobster!

I never did the whole tux thing and all the women I went out with said I didn't have to worry about doing the whole flower/limo thing so I did just as they said. I showed up at their house in my 89 celebrity with pealing paint on the roof while wearing a dress shirt, pants and tie like a champ.... Its fun to dance but as for it being a school "function" I don't see the neccessity of it. I mean if the students really wanted to have some kind of gathering they could pool their money together and rent out a hall or something right?

That's what we did. Our town wouldn't let us have a prom. The local preacher said dancing was "devil's work" or something like that. We even argued it to the city council and everything, but they didn't listen. Until one day, someone pointed out that there was an empty warehouse just outside the city limits, and if we went there, the city couldn't stop us.

For a town that was historically forbidden to dance, we were all pretty good dancers, I will say.

ren

[wastepanel]

That's what we did. Our town wouldn't let us have a prom. The local preacher said dancing was "devil's work" or something like that. We even argued it to the city council and everything, but they didn't listen. Until one day, someone pointed out that there was an empty warehouse just outside the city limits, and if we went there, the city couldn't stop us.

For a town that was historically forbidden to dance, we were all pretty good dancers, I will say.

ren

Kevin Bacon??? Is that you?

[apostle]

I haven't gone to a single prom at my school. It's not because I can't get a date, because I have had girls ask me to go with them. I hate rejecting their offers, but I just can't stand the whole snobby prom atmosphere. It's not about spending time with friends, or a loved one anymore. Nono, it's just like the OP said. It's about flaunting what your parents have. There is nothing romantic about it. It's even worse when the DJ at the prom chooses to overplay various rap songs.

[Roadtoad]

Don't feel too bad, Apostle. The one prom I attended, when the damned thing was over, my girlfriend broke up with me.

[Renfield]

Good. Schools are for learning, not partying.

In the US, that's debatable. Sports and socializing is really more like it.

[Renfield]

It's about flaunting what your parents have. There is nothing romantic about it.

That was, to large degree, true about HS in general, at least as I remember it. It was almost like the Indian caste system, only instead of some dot on your head, it was the brand of jeans you wore and the car you drove that mattered.

[luchog]

Carry on...
It can be a little risque at times, but I'd hardly consider Carry On... to be porn.

[Mattfn]

Wasn't planning on it, but I went to my prom after my year younger friends said I had to go with them. I went with one of their ex-boyfriends, just for the company, and after, we went to one of their houses for a sleepover & breakfast. Our Moms (6 of them) rented us a limo to guard against the drunk driving thing. I was baffled by the whole big deal and thought it silly. Then again, it would seem I grew up more level-headed and practical than most. The whole deal is a throwing in the towel for being not being able to control what a school can't control, but I don't think it any great loss.

If I were too drunk to come home, don't come home.

My party line from Dad was, if you're drunk, or the driver's drunk, or you're staying over, call, any time of night, no matter what. He wanted to know, or to come pick me up, period. I was a lucky teen and young person, and I used that graciousness all of 2 times.

Mattfn :moose:

[veggie doll]

We had a grad in place of prom also. Everybody had to vote on a 'theme' and somehow 'Egyption' was voted in. I still have no idea why- this was at a coastal Australian High School 3 years ago.

Anyway, my dress was incredibly expensive. I still have it. It's useless, but I feel as though I must hang on to it for some reason.

[Jitterbuggery]

My school decided to hold Finals the Monday after prom to discourage our fun. Nobody could go out and do the usual partying that weekend because we all had to cram.

I never went to any other dance in school. But I opted to go to the "Superbowl" of dances if anything just to avoid the 80's sitcom plot line of having your teenage kids throw a prom for you in your living room when you're 50. Damn I hate those goodie-goodie Cosby kids...

[The_Signal]

I gave in and went to prom just so I wouldn't regret it later. It is now later, and I regret spending so much money on a stupid dance. The whole prom thing is just a money making scheme.

[Eos of the Eons]

I remember my grade nine grad. It sucked. I bought a dress, myself, and it was the same kind of dress the popular grade 8 girl wore, and she was brought to the grad by a popular grade nine guy. So I was accused of being a "copycat". WTF? I'll bet her parents bought it for her, I had work for mine! B@stards. Even fellow geeks avoided me all night long. I had even paid for the contact lenses I wore that night. I moped in a corner, and a teacher complimented me on how nice I looked, so I started to bawl and went and hid in the bathroom.

Man, if I could go back, I would just get some punch and pour it over a few heads and dance all by myself.

I didn't bother with any high school grads or proms.

Same here, we had Grad in place of prom. Only Grade 12's, and even though it was expensive, there was so much fundraising done by parents that we could have a fancy event without it costing very much at all. (I think it was free for the grad, but family members came for 25 bucks each) Everyone allowed themselves to splurge on attire (my parents, in an odd move bought me my own kilt so thats what I wore of course) My date was my ex-girlfriend (she was ex at the time, but we were good friends). Fancy meal, dancing, and following that was the completely parent-planned after-grad.

A group of parents planned and fundraised for the after grad for the entire year, and all details were kept completely secret from students. So an hour after the dance ended we were all put on a bus and taken to a closed down bar and partied (dry) all night. Without alcohol, it was still the most fun most of us had ever had. No worries about people driving drunk or getting in trouble, just a bunch of kids...nearly adults having fun at the end of high school.

By no means we're a rich school, its just a tradition that the parents fundraise and go to local businesses for donations.

I have to say that is really cool. If I knew how to stick up for myself and not care what others thought, I would have had a blast at that kind of thing.

I say wear what you want, even if it's jeans and sports coat. Make your own cool and celebrate a milestone.

[NeilC]

I think it's a good thing that kids going to catholic schools are made to guilty and are forbidden to have fun. It will prepare them for being adult catholics.

[Zbu]

The principal should come to Norway and witness the 'russ celebration', which is how Norwegian students celebrate the end of high school.

It's half a month of partying, drinking and having sex.

Note to self: vacation in Norway!

I'm Very Curious: Red. ;)

[Silly Green Monkey]

Proms cost money? I never had to pay for either of the two I went to, and the dresses were free too... I even got free stuff just for coming. Of course, I didn't pay for pictures. I have my own camera.

[sistathinker]

I didn't go to my prom because my parents owed a few hundred bucks tuition. So instead, I flew to New York City and partied with a bunch of famous jazz musicians and came home the Tuesday after prom all goo-goo eyed from the FAB time I had.

I got sent to the office because seniors weren't allowed to miss Monday after prom. When the interrogatiation started, I replied- I wasn't at the prom. I stayed home in bed contemplating suicide yesterday, and I'm only here today because I didn't have any sharp enough razors. But if you suspend me, I'm sure I'll find something in that big, empty house to do myself in with.

Nothing happened after that...

[Quinn]

I didn't go to my prom because my parents owed a few hundred bucks tuition. So instead, I flew to New York City and partied with a bunch of famous jazz musicians and came home the Tuesday after prom all goo-goo eyed from the FAB time I had.

Dammit, where's the "green with envy" smiley??? I SO would rather have done that than spend the evening in a tacky tux listening to crummy music and not having sex with my fundy-minister's-daughter girlfriend!

PS -- Sista, was it you I had the mini jazz geekout with at the PJ party?

[Roadtoad]

I didn't go to my prom because my parents owed a few hundred bucks tuition. So instead, I flew to New York City and partied with a bunch of famous jazz musicians and came home the Tuesday after prom all goo-goo eyed from the FAB time I had.

I got sent to the office because seniors weren't allowed to miss Monday after prom. When the interrogatiation started, I replied- I wasn't at the prom. I stayed home in bed contemplating suicide yesterday, and I'm only here today because I didn't have any sharp enough razors. But if you suspend me, I'm sure I'll find something in that big, empty house to do myself in with.

Nothing happened after that...

Jeez! Hanging out with Jazz masters? Beats a Prom any day!

[Angus McPresley]

I went to my junior prom, and had such a stellar time that when senior prom rolled around, I elected to work that night instead at my job washing dishes.

[canadarocks]

I didn't go to my senior prom, but the high school sponsored an "After Grad" the same night. A bus was rented and the seniors loaded it with various liquid refreshments, the bus took us all out to a clearing in the woods at midnight, and we partied around a bon-fire until dawn when the bus picked us back up. No Chaperone, no nothin' (and no reported incidences).