Posted on 10/17/2005 7:21:55 AM PDT by Millee
Brother Kenneth Hoagland had heard all the stories about prom-night debauchery at his Long Island high school: students putting down $10,000 to rent a party house in the Hamptons; pre-prom cocktail parties followed by a trip to the dance in a liquor-loaded limo; fathers chartering a boat for their children's late-night "booze cruise."
Enough was enough, Hoagland said. So the principal of Kellenberg Memorial High School canceled the spring prom in a 2,000- word letter to parents.
"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," Hoagland said, fed up with what he called the "bacchanalian aspects."
"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. (The school) is willing to sponsor a prom but not an orgy."
The move brought a mixed, albeit passionate, reaction from students and parents at the Roman Catholic school, which is owned by the Society of Mary (Marianists), a religious order of priests and brothers.
"I don't think it's fair, obviously, that they canceled prom," said senior Alyssa Johnson of Westbury. "There are problems with the prom, but I don't think their reasons or the actions they took solved anything."
Hoagland began talking about the future of the prom last spring after 46 Kellenberg seniors made a $10,000 down payment on a $20,000 rental in the Hamptons for a post-prom party. When school officials found out, they forced the students to cancel the deal; the kids got their money back, and the prom went on as planned. But some parents went ahead and rented a Hamptons house anyway, Hoagland said.
Amy Best, an associate professor of sociology and anthropology at George Mason University in Virginia and the author of "Prom Night: Youth, Schools and Popular Culture," said this is the first time she has heard of a school canceling the prom for such reasons.
"A lot of people have lamented the growing consumption that surrounds the prom," she said, noting it is not uncommon for students to pay $1,000 on the dance and surrounding costs: expensive dresses, tuxedo rentals, flowers, limousines, pre- and post-prom parties.
Edward Lawson, the father of a Kellenberg senior, said he and other parents are discussing whether to organize a prom without the sponsorship of the 2,500- student school.
"I don't think they have a right to judge what goes on after the prom," he said. "They put everybody in the category of drinkers and drug addicts."
Some parents picking up their children on a recent afternoon said they support Hoagland.
"The school has excellent values," said Margaret Cameron of Plainview, N.Y. "We send our children here because we support the values and the administration of the school, and I totally back everything they do."
so the behavoir (booze/sex/drugs,etc.) that is the problem, it's the spending of money.
does the word "jerk" come to mind?
Well, what the heck. If these kids want to have an after-hours party all they need to do is contact a few Minnesota Vikings. </ sarcasm>
"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,"
If you’re going to get coked up, drunk and laid, at least be poor about it.
"bacchanalian" is a good word to describe current teenageer attitudes.
does the word "jerk" come to mind?
(The school) is willing to sponsor a prom but not an orgy."
What are you talking about? Obviously everything is the problem or he would not have made the previous statement.
If they don't conside the "booze/sex/drugs,etc." to be a problem, then that's why there is a problem.
Ummmmm... I would say it did!
What kind of parents would actually encourage and sponsor such activities, especially for their daughters? Someday perhaps I'll meet one and ask in utter disbelief.
Yes they do since this is a Catholic School and they expect a certain moral standard of behavior from their students.
I wish my principal had canceled prom. That is the most worthless non-event in the world. It serves no purpose other than to spend a lot of money to be in uncomfortable clothes. I guess this is what I get for not being pro-active and trying to throw a huge after party that promised lots of sex, drugs and alcohol. When I have kids I'm going to be sure to tell them what it takes to get those things canceled.
I think it makes sense to put an end to the ridiculous expense and debauchery which are the hallmarks of the modern prom.
THIS is what I'm talking about. he's more worried about the financial "decadence" than anything else. THAT brings to my mind the word "jerk".
The only obvious thing here is that this poorly reared student is a future Dem voter.
Good for him.
To the people who like to idealize Catholic schools, I can speak from experience. You get the same garbage there that you do in public schools, only there's more money involved.
agreed. wonder how many teenage pregnancies - and/or abortions - result from this behavior?
Hmmm...maybe everyone is at fault here. The parents for allowing the pre and post prom activities; the principal for allowing those pre and post prom activities to sway his thinking on the actual prom itself; and the kids for being too spoiled not to care.
I don't have a problem with the money the parents spent - it is their money and they can spend it as they please. It does, however, send a terrible message to their children. I DO see a problem with the drinking parties, etc. that are being organized by the parents. That is a horrible message to send.
ComPROMise: Let all the kids who do not attend the pre-prom parties attend the school prom. Let the others hold their own.
Admittingly, I could be WAY off on this one...
School cancels prom 'orgy'
Not exactly. Now, the orgy can start earlier because the prom has been canceled.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.