A Chemical Free Prom

Every year Eastview High School hosts the Prom for its students and, just as it has been the years before, a chemical-free atmosphere will strongly be enforced at the dance and after, wherever the students may go. On the night of Saturday May 23, 2009, students attending prom can expect to be carefully monitored by the many chaperones also attending the night’s festivities held at the International Market Square in Minneapolis, MN.

In previous years, some Eastview students have participated in underage alcohol consumption, as well as other chemical use, before, during and after prom. Certain precautions will be taken in order to keep this event chemical-free. As stated in the “2009 Prom letter to Students and Parents”, “As an official school function, no alcoholic beverages will be permitted at the Prom site. Security officers will be on hand to promote a healthy and safe environment for our students”. It is important for students to understand the reasoning behind this is for their safety and for obvious legal reasons. Officer Baird states, “My biggest concern is drinking and then going on to operate a vehicle”. Although many students choose to have a limo or a party bus escort them for the night, driving may become necessary latter on in the night. With the number of drunk driving accidents increasing during prom season every school and community puts forth a great effort to reduce teen drinking.

Prom is a very exciting time for Eastview students and although drinking alcohol may seem like it goes hand in hand with this event, it is very possible to have just as good of a time being sober. Because drinking alcohol is so socially acceptable in our society, teenagers so often forget how to have fun when it isn’t present. One prom advisor, Patty Sherwin expresses, “I just think that people in general, whether it be adults or students, need to learn to have fun without chemicals”. Students should be able to enjoy their prom with their friends, and in the years to come, they should be able to look back on that night with wonderful memories.

Also, the school is supporting a chemical-free atmosphere for after prom parties. Officer Baird explained that local law enforcements are extremely aware of the situation during these last weeks of high school and they will be carefully monitoring the party scene after prom. Students need to not only avoid alcohol during prom but also at any parties they may attend afterwards. It is mainly a safety issue but ending your prom night in legal trouble is not ideal for anyone. As an alternative to drinking after prom, students can still gather with their friends and have plenty of fun. Up to eight possible parents may volunteer to host substance-free parties for students to attend and Eastview High school has offered to help fund them. There is an application on the Eastview website for interested parents.

In only 4 short days Prom night will finally be here and Students will dress their best and can expect a night full of dancing with their closest friends. For some students this will be the last big high school event of their lives and they should fully consider how they want to remember this night. Some students will choose to consume alcohol and with that they are risking getting caught and facing legal trouble as well as disciplinary action from the school. All of Eastview’s staff, including the administration and Officer Baird have clearly warned students and their parents what the outcome of underage drinking at prom will be and now it is up to the students to decide how they will spend their night at prom.