Hollister
– At this very moment, San Benito High School students are
fretting about manicure appointments, boutonnieres, dinner
reservations and who will slow dance with who come Saturday night–
all part of the yearly prom ritual, a rite of passage enjoyed and
endured by generations of teenagers.
Hollister – At this very moment, San Benito High School students are fretting about manicure appointments, boutonnieres, dinner reservations and who will slow dance with who come Saturday night– all part of the yearly prom ritual, a rite of passage enjoyed and endured by generations of teenagers.
“When these kids walk through the doors and enter the dance, they look like different people because they have an air of maturity,” said Lindsey Chirhart, junior class co-advisor. “They don’t want to start trouble or goof around, they want to have a classy event and show off.”
Proms have been a staple of the American high school experience since the 1920s and 30s, when parents and teachers began using a spring formal dance as a way to teach students manners and social graces. Over the years prom evolved from a homespun dance in the school gym with crepe paper decor into decidedly more lavish affaires. Many schools rent out hotel ballrooms and tickets for the dance can range anywhere from $30 to over $200 per couple, while SBHS charges only $50 for a senior couple and $55 for juniors.
A dedicated team of student volunteers, with the guidance of a few staff members, have worked since the beginning of the school year to ensure SBHS’ prom, “A Black Tie Affaire,” will rival any of the more costly dances across the country, but will maybe be a little more friendly to Mom and Dad’s wallet.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure with the kids and our society that says ‘You have to wear the $300 dress, you have to eat at the most expensive restaurant in town,'” said Chirart. “But our prom doesn’t even really have a dress code. We just want kids to come dressed as nice as they can and enjoy themselves.”
Despite adults’ attempts to keep prom relatively low-key however, several students reported spending over $800 per couple after attire, hair, shoes, tickets, dinner, pictures, flowers, make-up and nails and often limousine rentals were accounted for. Most students said they split prom costs with parents.
“I didn’t even plan on going this year, because I’ve been before and it’s expensive,” said Vanessa Buelna, a junior. “But this is the one dance everybody goes to, so I’d feel left out when everybody’s talking about it on Monday. And I’d rather be at prom than stuck at home babysitting.”
According to junior class co-advisor Mike Schurig, this year’s prom will be attended by over 500 students and their guests, and has cost over $7, 000 to put on. This includes renting the Veteran’s Memorial Building, decorations, flowers, lighting, hiring photographers, a DJ and providing snacks for students. Typically, says Prom Chairperson Sandy Medina, ticket sales are more than enough to cover the cost of the dance and any extra money goes toward the senior trip to Disneyland, graduation ceremonies or Sober Grad Night.
“We just really want to make sure that the seniors have a good experience to look back on,” she said.
School administrators have been working to guarantee students are able to remember prom night fondly as well, and have enlisted the help of the community and local law enforcement to do so. Not only will the dance be chaperoned by over 30 parents, teachers, administrators and the School Resource Officer, the chaperones will also be checking students and peering into cars to make sure no drugs or alcohol get into the dance. Breathalyzer tests and metal detectors will be used at the door and sobriety check points will be established throughout the county.
“We’re taking this seriously, but we know that 99 percent of the students who go just want to have a good time,” said Duanne Morgan, Assistant Principal.
Students have also received a DVD to take home that details the dangers of drunk driving and its effects on the community.
“We wanted to go with a proactive approach,” said Morgan. “We’re tired of kids dying on us, because it doesn’t just affect them and their families, it touches the whole school and community. We’re tired of the sadness.”
Ultimately, however, educators stress that parents are the only ones who can make sure their students are safe on prom night, just by checking in every now and then on the phone.
“Schools can only do so much,” said Morgan. “Parents need to be involved, and really kids want that. They want those parameters that a parent can provide.”
Right now, though, prom volunteers’ biggest worries are last minute logistical and decorating details. Student behavior, they believe, will take care of itself.
“San Benito is really unique because it’s a very large school in a very small town, so there’s this sense of community you don’t find in too many other places,” said Schurig. “And when these kids come together and they’re all dressed up and having their last hoorah before finals, it’s really a special thing.”
It would seem that students attending tomorrow night agree.
“This is the first prom I’ve ever been to, man, and I’m really excited,” said Angel Perez, a junior. “I get to ride in a limo and dance and I’m going with all of my friends. It’s going to be great.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or
ds****@fr***********.com
