Prom Debriefed

Parents' fears about the prom failed to be realized last week as Scarsdale students enjoyed a safe and entertaining evening without incident.

In order to head off trouble, for the first time, Mr. Klemme asked this year’s senior class to move the prom venue from Manhattan to a Westchester location. In past years the prom turned into a bachannal when underage partygoers celebrated their prom in the city, and planned after–prom activities at clubs. In the past, in between the prom and the after parties, enterprising teens hired limos for transport and took out hotel rooms for the purpose of changing from prom to club attire between the two events. Both the limos and the hotel rooms proved to be trouble when underage students purchased liquor and contraband and over-consumed. In 2009 the after-prom party was quickly shut down when students were sick and out of control.

This year, the prom moved to Northern Westchester and problems with over-consumption and misbehavior were avoided. Students took school-supervised coach buses to and from the Trump National Country Club in Briarcliff Manor. The prom went well and upon their return to Scarsdale many students went back to private homes to change before taking party buses to the city. At the club in the city, students were carefully searched and there was little opportunity for hanky panky. Though several students failed to board the party bus home, for the majority of students the evening went as planned.

Perhaps this year’s class avoided trouble as they saw what could become of their prom if they failed to behave. In addition, a tightly planned evening with adequate supervision reduced opportunities for misbehavior. Whatever the reason, there is only good news from the Scarsdale prom this year and the entire community can be proud of our beautiful and well-mannered seniors.

What can be done next year to further improve the event? How about turning the event into a party for the senior class? Sadly not all seniors participated in the prom, some due to lack of a date. It is painful to see some seniors stand on the sidelines while underclassmen attend a prom organized for another class. Wouldn’t it be nice if seniors felt comfortable going to the prom with or without a date?