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A Safe Prom
As high school graduation approaches, many mothers, fathers and grandparents have mixed feelings about their offspring. Most are glad to see that their youngster is almost an adult. But it can be difficult letting go of their “little" boy or girl who will soon be away from home at work or college, or getting married. For better or for worse, life is changing, now and forever.
Last Saturday, these same mothers, fathers and grandparents throughout Rappahannock County wished their sons and daughters well, and watched them drive off to attend the Junior-Senior Prom. And many of these same relatives stayed awake or slept uneasily during the early evening. It was not until the small hours of the night when at last they heard the sound of the car in the driveway or the key in the lock that they could sleep in peace. They knew that their child was home again, safe and alive.
Fauquier Springs, the site of this year’s prom, is a 25- or 30-mile drive from most parts of Rappahannock County. The only way to get there is by car. It is almost a tradition in some towns that the dance on prom night is followed by heavy drinking and high speed drunken driving. In scores of communities across the country, prom time becomes a night of tragedy. Auto accidents and even death, nearly always alcohol-related, change festivity into sorrow and horror.
But this didn’t happen in Rappahannock County. Onehundred and sixteen kids went to the prom. One-hundred and sixteen kids came home safely. That is marvelous! Perhaps a few prom attendees did have a drink or two. We hope not, of course. If so, we hope there was a designated driver. In any case, we are pleased there was no tragedy.
The student members of Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD) and their adult advisors deserve credit for the popular non-alcoholic after prom party at Lakeside Swim Club. More than 50 prom goers attended that event and departed with Tshirts and door prizes thanks to support from churches, businesses and other county organizations.
Students at Rappahannock High School should be proud of their maturity and common sense. We hope this record continues during graduation celebrations next month, and on and on beyond that.
The theme of the prom was “A Whole New World.” This was an excellent forward-looking theme. We’re glad that all of you will be around, and we welcome you to the fascinating and wonderful whole new world that awaits you after graduation.
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