Principal Cancels Prom

Roadtoad · 15th October 2005, 06:49 PM

Long Island high school prom has been cancelled.

Quote:

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 · 15th October 2005, 07:01 PM

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 · 16th October 2005, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 17th October 2005, 04:37 AM

Originally Posted by jj

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 · 17th October 2005, 09:57 AM

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 · 17th October 2005, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by eri

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 · 17th October 2005, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

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 · 17th October 2005, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by CFLarsen

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 · 17th October 2005, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by TragicMonkey

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 · 17th October 2005, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by rebecca

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 · 17th October 2005, 02:55 PM

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 · 17th October 2005, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 17th October 2005, 05:39 PM

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 · 17th October 2005, 05:41 PM

Good. Schools are for learning, not partying.

Ducky · 17th October 2005, 05:43 PM

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 · 17th October 2005, 06:06 PM

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 · 17th October 2005, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by CBL4

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 · 17th October 2005, 07:11 PM

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 · 17th October 2005, 07:47 PM

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 · 18th October 2005, 01:11 AM

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 · 18th October 2005, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by Zep

Well, almost.

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

CBL4 · 18th October 2005, 02:02 PM

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 · 18th October 2005, 06:41 PM

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 · 18th October 2005, 07:12 PM

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 · 19th October 2005, 02:36 AM

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 · 19th October 2005, 04:28 AM

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 · 19th October 2005, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by TriangleMan

. . . , 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 · 24th October 2005, 04:55 PM

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 · 25th October 2005, 09:01 AM

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 · 25th October 2005, 09:47 AM

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 · 25th October 2005, 12:49 PM

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 · 1st November 2005, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 3rd November 2005, 09:37 PM

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 · 3rd November 2005, 11:49 PM

Originally Posted by LostAngeles

a very beautiful iridescent dress

I read that as "indecent".

Jyera · 3rd November 2005, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by CFLarsen

I read that as "indecent".

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

LostAngeles · 4th November 2005, 12:24 AM

Originally Posted by CFLarsen

I read that as "indecent".

Rule 2^1/2 states that Danes are not allowed to think naughty thoughts about Americans. Don't make me report you.

Roadtoad · 4th November 2005, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by LostAngeles

Rule 2^1/2 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.

LostAngeles · 4th November 2005, 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by Roadtoad

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

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 · 4th November 2005, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by CFLarsen

I read that as "indecent".

A gownless evening strap perhaps?

Ryokan · 4th November 2005, 03:06 PM

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.

15th October 2005, 06:49 PM	#1
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Principal Cancels Prom Long Island high school prom has been cancelled. Quote: 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?

16th October 2005, 08:58 PM	#3
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,509	Originally Posted by 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. 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!
	__________________ The Power to Quit

17th October 2005, 10:20 AM	#6
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Pither Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,073	Originally Posted by eri 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.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

17th October 2005, 10:40 AM	#7
CFLarsen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 42,804	Originally Posted by TragicMonkey 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....
	__________________ SkepticReport.com

17th October 2005, 11:22 AM	#8
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Pither Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,073	Originally Posted by CFLarsen 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.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

15th October 2005, 07:01 PM	#2
Anti_Hypeman Death Dealing Doom Machine Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,011	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.

17th October 2005, 04:37 AM	#4
Roadtoad Bufo Caminus Inedibilis Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gone. Posts: 15,738	Originally Posted by jj 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.

17th October 2005, 09:57 AM	#5
eri Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Somewhere nearby, pointing and laughing. Posts: 459	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?

17th October 2005, 11:28 AM	#9
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,852	Originally Posted by TragicMonkey 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?!
rebecca Banned Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,852

17th October 2005, 11:43 AM	#10
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Pither Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,073	Originally Posted by rebecca 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.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

17th October 2005, 02:55 PM	#11
CBL4 Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,349	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
CBL4 Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,349

17th October 2005, 03:41 PM	#12
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Pither Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,073	Originally Posted by 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. 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.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

17th October 2005, 05:39 PM	#13
Boo ts Join Date: May 2003 Location: state of chaos Posts: 3,743	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
	__________________ Wounds heal. Morally Obtuse. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

17th October 2005, 05:41 PM	#14
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 20,963	Good. Schools are for learning, not partying.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

17th October 2005, 05:43 PM	#15
Ducky Titanium Puprhero Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mayor of your front lawn. Posts: 12,296	I misread this and thought some principality had cancelled porn on the net. I was seriously depressed for a few seconds there. Carry on...

17th October 2005, 06:06 PM	#16
Whyatica Chatroom Über-god Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 412	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.
	__________________ Come join the SkepticsRock Chat now! "Do you understand what the chain of command is? It's the chain I'm going to beat you with until you understand who's in ruttin' command here!" Jayne, Firefly

17th October 2005, 06:52 PM	#17
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,509	Originally Posted by CBL4 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?
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17th October 2005, 07:11 PM	#18
Kiless Guest Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,103	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...
Kiless Guest Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,103

17th October 2005, 07:47 PM	#19
Jeff Corey New York Skeptic Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 13,794	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.

18th October 2005, 01:11 AM	#20
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985	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.
Zep Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 26,985

18th October 2005, 02:16 AM	#21
Kiless Guest Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,103	Originally Posted by Zep Well, almost. I'd go with you but I'd clearly have to BYO wetsuit.
Kiless Guest Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 6,103

18th October 2005, 02:02 PM	#22
CBL4 Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,349	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
CBL4 Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,349

18th October 2005, 06:41 PM	#23
Mephisto Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: in a state of disbelief Posts: 6,065	Ah, Prom . . . 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?"
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18th October 2005, 07:12 PM	#24
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885	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.
Soapy Sam NLH Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 25,885

19th October 2005, 02:36 AM	#25
athon Kowalski Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: gone Posts: 9,286	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

19th October 2005, 04:28 AM	#26
TriangleMan Graduate Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Qatar (ya rly!) Posts: 1,208	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.

19th October 2005, 08:04 AM	#27
Mephisto Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: in a state of disbelief Posts: 6,065	Originally Posted by TriangleMan . . . , 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!
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24th October 2005, 04:55 PM	#28
green_rabbit New Blood Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 4	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.
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25th October 2005, 09:01 AM	#29
wastepanel Muse Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 574	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?
wastepanel Muse Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 574

25th October 2005, 09:47 AM	#30
ysabella Muse Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Auburn, WA Posts: 705	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?

25th October 2005, 12:49 PM	#31
kittynh The Hupsu Detective auctioneer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: If I told the aliens could find me, and you know they read this forum Posts: 22,707	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!
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1st November 2005, 09:58 PM	#32
jj grumpy old skeptic Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Deep in the rain Posts: 18,509	Originally Posted by 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? 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.
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3rd November 2005, 09:37 PM	#33
LostAngeles Anti-WM Jihadist Join Date: May 2004 Location: Having a cup of tea. Posts: 10,159	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.
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3rd November 2005, 11:49 PM	#34
CFLarsen Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 42,804	Originally Posted by LostAngeles a very beautiful iridescent dress I read that as "indecent".
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3rd November 2005, 11:56 PM	#35
Jyera Muse Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 736	Originally Posted by CFLarsen I read that as "indecent". Have you figured the scientific explanation as to why that happened?
Jyera Muse Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 736