Indexes
February 8th, 2010
February 6th, 2010
February 5th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
February 3rd, 2010
February 2nd, 2010
February 1st, 2010
The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Will terrorists be given Miranda warnings? (75)
- President Obama's first year (67)
- Lodi Unified School District president issues warning to speakers over cuts (64)
- Local business leaders say tourism, Costco, Home Depot may play roles in city's future (60)
- Islamic symbol in mosaic — what is all the fuss? (49)
- Many reject the politics of 'no' (43)
- Writer comments on Neely column (42)
- The Home Depot hopes to join Costco at Reynolds Ranch (41)
- Police: Train victim was a Lodi teen (31)
- Time to shed the convenient sham of 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy (31)
ADVERTISEMENT
Prom — not a memorable experience
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:28 AM PDT
It was supposed to be my daughter's big night. A night she had dreamed about for the past four years.
She looked so pretty in her zebra print dress, her hair and makeup done just right. If I could only take away the sadness and disappointment I heard in her voice when she called me that night — long before the prom ended. It's all over now and she has only regret that she put so much time, money and anticipation into her senior prom, which turned out to be about as exciting as watching ice melt! Because of an administration so wrapped up in rules and out of touch with our children and what could have been a safe and fun event, it was a total flop.
Before my daughter and her date even entered the prom, they were Breathalyized, as were all the students and guests. Once in the dance, the students had to endure music from a decade before they were even born! The chaperones carried flashlights that weren't used because the lights were never dim enough. Every few minutes the DJ would stop the music because of a suspicion that someone was "booty" dancing. Meanwhile, the principal walked around with a ridiculous siren hat on his head to "warn" the students of his presence.
It is sad that because of a few trouble makers at past Lodi High School events, the rest of the senior class had to attend a prom that looked something like the extreme religious town in the movie "Footloose." By the way, that song was one of the winners played that night. Give me a break! Our children weren't even born when that song was popular.
I hope for the sake of future juniors and seniors that the administrators have more faith in our upperclassmen and won't let past troublemakers ruin it for them. Come on, Lodi High, can't we just have some fun for once?
Lisa Ward
Lodi
Search for Ads 
Today’s Print Ads 
RSS Feeds
Reader Feedback
Lodi Resident wrote on May 20, 2009 10:33 AM:
WCPatty wrote on May 20, 2009 7:25 AM:
WCPatty wrote on May 20, 2009 7:17 AM:
I for one don't remember the specific songs I danced to nor the decorations, nor the lighting. But I do remember the fun time I had with my date and our friends, laughing and dancing and MAKING it a memorable night. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on May 20, 2009 6:26 AM:
I said gosh after spending all that money on dress, alterations, hair, make-up, nails, pictures, dinner...(UGH can you say poor-house?) would it even have been worth it?
She then said, "That is why I didn't say anything, Mom. I didn't want to complain after you tried to make it so special."
I'm glad that the Lodi High staff has went out of the way to make our kids safe. It wasn't a total bust...we got GREAT pictures out of the deal! LOL "
blossom wrote on May 19, 2009 8:24 PM:
It is all the dress/tux/flowers/limo/dinner and your date that make it fun.
I found that my kids unlike my husband and myself.
They all dance with eachother and the dance itself is kind of boring.
It is the after parties that they all have fun at.
At least my kids did. They got pictures taken but I don't think they really stayed for all that long. "
Whoa Nellie! wrote on May 19, 2009 7:32 PM:
Two of my three kids attended the LHS Prom this year. They both mentioned Principal Bill Atterberry's silly redlight hat. As for the "booty dancing," most of you have no clue, but thanks to Contropasso for the accurate description.
If they would have given breathalyzer tests back in my day of the late 70's I think only 10% would have made it in.
The dance is only one part of prom. What about shopping for the dress? Girls doing their hair & makeup. The big pre-dance dinner at a friends house. Maybe a limo ride. Prom Pictures you'll savor for years. Yes, the dance. King & Queen. And a after-party: maybe some booze & dancing, or maybe something from Happy Days like a bunch of couples for breakfast at Denny's or at your house gossiping. As you can see Mrs Ward, there is so much more to remember from prom night than the dance itself.
And 30yrs later I don't recall my dance, but all of the before/after. "
englishteacher wrote on May 19, 2009 6:56 PM:
englishteacher wrote on May 19, 2009 6:52 PM:
WingIt wrote on May 19, 2009 1:45 PM:
wtf wrote on May 19, 2009 12:12 PM:
BUT, this "booty" dancing sounds like it's more for the visual "shock value" of upsetting their elders; similar to certain types of "rap" music in my book, and they both seem stupid to me. LOL!
IF these kids were serious about touchy, feely, in front of their elders, they'd do ballroom dancing; especially the Latin dances. LOL! "
Bob Loblaw wrote on May 19, 2009 10:57 AM:
My senior said the word was out early among his classmates that the prom would suck. Some staff were even discouraging kids from going. He and his friends had a good time at the movies and in the pool that night... "
Contrapasso wrote on May 19, 2009 10:52 AM:
shockedinlodi wrote on May 19, 2009 10:50 AM:
I was shocked when I heard this from my child. I 100% agree with this letter. "
Leonard wrote on May 19, 2009 10:47 AM:
did we neeed Breathalyizers? No,
I don't know when you went to school but in my day (the 1980s) half the kids at dances were stoned and all of them were drunk.
Of course, back then we generally did our "booty dancing" in the privacy of a car parked under the power lines off of Peltier.... "
Rhodie wrote on May 19, 2009 10:43 AM:
Contrapasso wrote on May 19, 2009 9:46 AM:
It would be interesting to know what parents would think if they witnessed some of the grotesque dancing their kids are doing at the prom in their expensive dresses and rented tuxes. "
Lodian wrote on May 19, 2009 9:22 AM:
Great letter. I agree. "
wtf wrote on May 19, 2009 8:22 AM:
The trick is: you go to prom straight and party ***after*** the prom at private parties. ;) "
class of 007 wrote on May 19, 2009 7:27 AM:
But i have to agree with Ms. Ward. My prom, although not this bad, was still not enjoyable. and dont even "did we neeed Breathalyizers? No, because we knew that these things are wrong" I call BS.dont tell me, when the admin barely blinked an eye, no high school kid ever went to prom high or drunk. I think we even had to listen to the iltter bug song at prom!!
let the kids have one fun night "
heraldby wrote on May 19, 2009 7:27 AM:
concerned parent wrote on May 19, 2009 7:14 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.