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."
But the point is that it all trickles down from the wealthiest.
If that evil greedy person wants a Lear jet he causes thousands
to be employed building Lear jets. If we stopped every person
with excessive desire for wealth we would all still be starving
in caves.
I think I would handle the situation with an all-night affair that is sponsored by the school with lots of parental involvement. The kids are locked into the area, and cannot leave until the next morning.
We had an all-night party after graduation when I was in high school. It was separate from prom and much more fun. It was at a huge bowling alley. We had bowling, movies, games, a huge raffle, and lots of other fun activities. It was one of the highlights of my senior year.
Yep. And a lot aren't. A lot depends on whether the Catholics in question are routine churchgoers or merely nominal Catholics.
We are talking about spoiled Long Island rich kids here, not the members of a convent.
SD
That's funny because we spent lots of time with our child and almost no money on photos. The most neglectful parents did spend a lot.
I just thought it was interesting that Doc Savage called them "rich leftists."
I have always thought so too. There was absolutely no excuse to re-elect him. He was obviously propped up by many sinister forces from Day 1, because he was always a self-indulgent loser.
no problem....
but acting as if they are big cheese or something because they are cancelling an event when the students probably don't care one way or the other is quite another.
I got the sense of "if we cancel the dance, then they won't do bad things" out of this story, which is completely stupid.
What I have read of the letter is quite good. Do you have a link to the last part of it?
Define "excessive." My own personal definition of excessive display of wealth begins somewhere around the renting of a beach house for a teenage debaucher. Yes, it's good for the realtor, the limo business and the condom and booze manufacturers. But some things are more important than money.
SD
Apparently the students do care. If you read the letters, especially the one from earlier in the year, the pastor seems to be of the mind that they're going to do it, let 'em do it. We just won't be responsible
The prom dates are to old for the priests.
I will pray for you.
I went to the website and found the letters there.
I'm not sure what you mean about the "last part" of it.
Wow, that was so funny.
3 years ago.
There's nothing worse than a bigot with old material.
SD
1. Are you sure you're on the right forum? Yonder may be a better fit for you than for xs. Have a nice day.
2. The principal was right to cancel.
3. You don't have to be Catholic to attend Catholic schools.
Got it. Thanks. The principal has been misrepresented as a liberal do-gooder whereas, in fact, he is anything but.
I wondered too.
Did you read the article? Read it, then read post 144. That should clarify things for you.
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.