BY LUKE SCHANZ-GARBASSI

Recently, debate has surfaced surrounding the school’s lack of interference in elements concerning the senior prom. Some argue that more should be done to detect, prevent and punish students under the influence of alcohol/drugs who show up to the prom. Measures would include using breathalyzers, which schools across the nation, including one in Long Island, employ; busing students to the site of the dance, like at junior prom, rather than having students find private means of transportation; and, if caught, banning students from the graduation ceremony.

We believe that each of these measures is neither just nor beneficial to the community. They would infringe upon students’ rights that have been earned through four years of dedication to this school; policing students on a night of celebration would mark a breakdown in the student-administration trust that has matured over the senior class’s high school career.

However, by no means should a clearly belligerent student who poses a serious threat to himself and his classmates be allowed free rein during the prom. But does a chaperone really need a breathalyzer to detect such a student? One might argue that the presence of such a screening device would discourage students from drinking in the first place. True. But that does not mean the chaperones actually have to test the students; the threat suffices.

While bussing students to Prom would be much more fuel efficient than the current method of transportation, the car carrying close friends and couples is much too quaint a tradition to supplant.
Graduation is one of, if not the highlight on a student’s journey out of this community. Refusing a senior attendance at this momentous event simply because of one mistake is a punishment unbefitting of the crime. A better punishment could be community service; a senior’s schedule at this point is hardly busy.

As one of the last events the seniors have together, the senior prom should be an enjoyable experience. On this night of nights, clamping down on students would tarnish the memory for all.