Prom Season

If you type “Catholic” and “prom” into a Google search, not many of the links are flattering to the time-honored tradition. Of course under the current heading of “what makes the news” the main drift of articles nationwide were whether or not same-sex couples could attend the prom as dates. In summary, the answer was “no” though lawsuits seemed on the horizon in some places.

Some other stories were of prom tragedies, like an accident (no alcohol) involved that killed killed one student and inured several others after the prom near Philadelphia.

The means and method of proms is certainly worth a discussion, if not a debate for Catholic schools. The money spent on the prom is extravagant bordering on sinful. Note how one principal battled such excess.

There are other positive prom stories. Last prom season a student at a Wilmington, Delaware high school arranged for rides to the prom for other students with mental challenges. This past March, students at a Louisiana high school set up a special prom event for a classmate who had been injured in an car accident.

What are your feelings about prom in general? About prom at your school? What are some ways your school has made prom successful, wholesome, and in the spirit of the Gospel?

We would be interested in your comments.