Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — A few things are expected of prom night. Never having enough time to finish my friend's hairdo, sore cheeks from the all-school picture parties and kicking off my heels as soon as I enter the dance floor is anticipated. This year's prom was almost exactly the same: corsages, limos, dresses ... and breathalyzers? Steamboat Springs High School was recognized in national news last week for being the one of the first high schools in the country giving breathalyzers to students attending prom and the after prom party. More unusual than the police officers stationed at prom Saturday night was the random testing had been requested by SSHS students.

When the Pilot printed its newspaper last week telling of the administrations' decision, copies of the article were pasted around campus, as an almost ominous warning sign to upperclassmen. As far as I know through the gossip train, the breathalyzer warning worked, and not one person was busted for drinking during prom or after prom. Out of the handful of kids asked to participate, none got in trouble.

Prom is prom - no matter the circumstances. After four years of Homecoming dances, winter formals and prom, by my last dance in high school, I felt I knew what to expect. This year, however, the buzz was about more than who came together as a couple, it was about who got pulled from the dance floor to blow into the breathalyzer. Unfortunately for SSHS students, our track record with school dances has ultimately caused the need for such drastic action.

Each year, the Leadership class puts on an all-school assembly, Sober Prom, staging the death of a popular senior. Thousands of dollars donated by individuals and businesses, including movie tickets, restaurant certificates and this year, a $600 cash prize are put toward the after-prom party, an event held at the high school until five in the morning. Far more than the needed teachers and parents are recruited as chaperones just because of their desire to see students during prom. So much effort from our school and community is put toward us, providing a sober place for us to have fun and stop underage drinking, even for just one night.

Our table of fourteen at the Yacht Club caused a stir, being almost as inappropriate as the freshmen who seniors roll their eyes at in the halls. I had to have my mom help me pin on my date's boutonniere again this year and my hair fell flat halfway through dinner. Things did go as usual this year for prom, just without the kid puking in the bathroom.