Having an in-person junior prom is an important part of the school experience and that was a concern of two students that made statements to the Northland Pines school board last week requesting a Prom Court and being supported by several board members.
A preliminary proposal for the prom was set for June 11 for 11th and 12th graders with no outside schools participating and no Prom Court. Students Grace Weber and Jacob Wielhouwer told the board on the importance of having a Prom Court.
“If you’re going to approve an in-person prom we are requesting having a Prom Court,” Weber said. “We are also opposed to not being allowed to go out to eat before hand,” Eisenhower added.
Board president David Weber then moved the agenda item concerning prom and graduation up for discussion while the students were in attendance. District administrator Scott Foster felt it would be ok to continue “to allow us to work with students” adding Public Health wants us to continue to “finish the year under suggested guidelines.” Foster was concerned that none of these events be a “super spreader.”
Principal Dan Marien said topics to be discussed with students include going out to eat and Prom Court and staff will make recommendations to the April board meeting. Board member Jennifer Payne felt a Prom Court was important.
“This is a reward and is part of high school life and I applaud the students who are following the protocols,” Payne said. Weber also added his thoughts on prom saying “I have it on good authority that Prom Court is important to the young ladies and by these dates in June most will have been vaccinated.”
Foster added “we can’t forget these are young lives and we are in a pandemic and we have to do this as safety as possible” with board member Jeff Shenk agreeing “we have to be extra cautious.”
The board then approved to have in-person graduation June 6, in-person prom June 11, in-person gathering for 2020 graduates June 12 with continued dialog with students and staff to set up details.
