Posted on 04/26/2008 5:44:07 PM PDT by frankjr
School officials have informed Pope that since Francisco Velasco, is 21, he is too old to attend the function Saturday night. Principal Robert McBride says the main reason is that 21 is the legal age for alcohol consumption.
Velasco, who is stationed at Fort Lee, Va. received permission from his superiors to fly to Chicago for the weekend just for the dance, but since he can't attend, Pope has decided to skip the function.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
Tax payers do underwrite the cost of a prom. Tickets are sold; fundraising done, sponsors enlisted, yada yada yada. I seriously doubt that this school district did not post its ‘age requirements’ in advance. Perhaps this young lady thought ‘rules’ are for others...and then when the aforementioned rules are enforced you go crying to the nearest media outlet (’but my boyfriend is a Marine.’)
There...that's what I meant to say...
Let’s face it the reason those liberals really didn’t want him there was that he’s a Marine and it’s their way they are showing their support for the troops, their families and friends.
Glad I refreshed before I responded to your first post with a "huh"?
Actually, I am always skeptical when lifes little curves (not getting to go the prom?!?!?!) become 'national' news. Our district has a 'HS grade soph, junior or senior' policy. Only jrs/srs can purchase tickets and they can only escort or be escorted by someone still in HS and in the three upper grades. HS kids from other districts have to get a written recommendation from their Principal (good standing in grades and no behavioral issues) to attend. Alot rules these days...and I am guessing this girl was well aware of her perimeters (and just chose to ignore them).
It is difficult from the news story to tell if the young lady asked for an exception prior to the event. (Taking in the fact that she purchased a dress & he flew to Chicago, I would say not). If she had talked to her principal, they might have made an exception, or maybe not ~ where do they draw the line?
Financially no. In the realm of organizing/sponsoring/using school facilities for the dance itself (though usually they are off campus) or for after prom activities of the “ABC High School Prom’ yes. The prom is an extracircular activity...as such if you choose to participate you follow the rules sanctioning the event. If you don’t follow the rules...you don’t participate.
Hmmm. My prom date was 21 years old. No one even questioned his age.
You are right...if she had spoken to her principal first maybe she would not have had to speak to the media instead.
The most beautiful girl at my prom was a mystery woman. No one had seen her before or since. She was the date of a nice but quiet and low-key guy. She said that she was a secretary at a local college. Was it true? She must have been at least twenty. I danced with her, briefly. I still remember how gorgeous she looked.
I have no idea where he got her from, but it occurred to me that it wasn’t such a bad idea.
And all these things are free? I’ve always heard that there is no free lunch.
No they are not free...as I stated above, there is alot of fundraising, seeking out of sponsors etc. to lessen the costs per couple. Tickets are sold (last year my son’s prom ticket cost $150.00 per couple and they did fundraising as well).
Very pretty!
Schools do not underwrite the cost of the Prom. The only involvement that the school has to do with the Prom is - the Senior Sponsor makes the hotel reservation (a year in advance) and insures payment the day before the event; school administrators & staff chaperone the event (there is no cost for them to attend); verify that actual school students & their dates are admitted into the event.
Difficult to believe that this is my baby!
when i was 26, i attended a prom with a 17 year old gay guy. it was great.
Time absolutely flies by...I know I am there too!
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.