Education Law

Maryland parents keep prom safe and sober

High schools across the country are well into prom and graduation season and many seniors have already begun to celebrate their final days with their classmates. Unfortunately, this thrilling time in students? lives is all too often marred by heartbreak as students? celebrations, sometimes fueled by drugs and alcohol, quickly spiral out of hand. In light of the recent tragedy in Massachusetts, where an allegedly drunk teen struck and killed a pedestrian after a post-prom party, BoardBuzz wants to spotlight one program that successfully keeps Maryland prom-goers safe and sober.

Since 1992, schools and parent volunteers in Montgomery County, Maryland have teamed up to host drug- and alcohol-free celebrations immediately following their schools? proms, The Gazette reports. More than 600 Winston-Churchill High School students attended a post-prom party at the school hosted by Montgomery County Project Prom/Graduation. The group meets several times a year to plan events for the party, select prospective post-prom entertainers, and discuss activities that have succeeded in previous years, says the group?s treasurer and founder Meg Baker. Initially founded by a small group of parents, Project Prom/Graduation has been incorporated into thirty schools throughout the county.

Churchill High School Class President Max Heller says that he and his classmates recognize the value of providing students with a sober alternative. After ?seeing how much trouble kids get into on prom night,? he realized that an after-prom party serves an necessary purpose. ?It?s giving students a safe option,? Heller said.  And that’s something BoardBuzz really likes to see.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on June 05, 2009 (boomark / email).