It's Still the Prom,
Rules and All
May, 2003

 
The frantic search for the perfect dress, suit, and date is finally over. Yes, the Novi High School Prom has arrived, concluding the weeks of preparation. The Prom is being held at Burton Manor in Livonia this year, and tickets were sold at $90 a couple.

To the "surprise" of many Novi students, some rules were made for this year's Prom. Anyone attending from another school, college or high school, had to be cleared by school administration first. The rule was put in place to ensure safety and to prevent certain "happenings," while still allowing students outside of Novi to attend. In addition, anyone attending Prom who is 21 or older must actually meet with school administration first. Finally, students are encouraged to sign a "Prom Promise," which grants a free haircut in exchange for a student's promise not to drink and drive. 

While this may sound perfectly normal, many Novi students asked "why?" The obvious reason for these rules is to prevent the distribution and consumption of alcohol, but some students never let down; they choose to play innocent, acting as if alcohol isn't a factor. These rules haven't discouraged a significant number of students from going to Prom, but they can be a factor for those "on the bubble" of deciding.

The majority of students are taking someone from within the high school. Whether it's a girlfriend/boyfriend, or just a friend, it doesn't really matter. The Prom is a chance to dress up, have fun, see, and be seen. The mere tradition of Prom is what attracts most kids. Prom is something you just have to go to, and most don't think twice about not going. Despite a parent's or friend's sob story of their own Prom, students are always reminded of how much we'll regret not going. And even without all of the underlying magic and tradition, Prom is an excuse to stay out late and party with friends, which is enough for almost any high school student.

Similar to Spring Break, many Novi students don't go to Prom. As always money is a factor, and with the higher than usual price of $90 a couple, transportation, dress, and other miscellaneous expenses, Prom is an expensive event. It goes without saying that many students can't afford this, and they're accompanied by others who take a rebellious approach by refusing to pay the $90, while making sure to let everyone know. Other students took on the grueling date search, and either started too late, or searched in the wrong places. As always there are those students who just don't want to go. They don't care for Prom, or anything having to do with Prom, and would only go if Prom paid them $90. Luckily for some of these students, they still have a chance to save money, begin the date search now, and/or change their whole outlook on Prom, because the Novi Prom is for seniors AND juniors.

Unlike most other high schools that host strictly senior proms (one person in the couple must be a senior), Novi requires at least one senior or junior per couple. Prom is the unofficial pre-graduation party, and the senior's have to spend it with the juniors, along with two times as many people. Doesn't this take away some of the magic of Prom? It turns Prom into just another homecoming, or a Friday night dance moved to Saturday. It takes away the seniors right to decide who gets to go to their Prom, and who doesn't. However, it does allow students a second chance to go, so they won't have to "regret not going." It also makes more money for the school that is greatly needed; assuming many students do attend twice. In this case, a junior/senior Prom proves to be beneficial to the students and the school.

Despite all of the preparation and rules, and whether you did or didn't go, this year's Prom will be over shortly. The kids will have their one day to recover. They will tell of just how tired they are, and of course they will tell why. Seniors will let everyone know whether this year's or last year's was better, and juniors will begin mental preparation for their senior Prom. 

In the end, it's never going to matter whether you did or didn't go to Prom, as long as you don't regret your decision.
 

(c) 2003 the Novi Information Network