4_________________________________ Forum___________________________ February
Freshman dance attendance policy not a rule, but culture
C hrisann K im
______
Cinderella entered the
grand ball, dressed and
beautiful, but without a
date. However, high school
is not a Disney princess
movie in which all the girls
in the kingdom are invited
to the dance. At WLHS,
two out of the three dances
are open to all grades,
while Prom is reserved for
juniors and seniors unless
they bring a freshmen or
sophomore date.
By culture, some
upperclassmen make
freshmen feel like they
are not allowed to attend
Winter Ball. However,
freshmen have always been
allowed to go to Winter Ball,
according to Aaron Downs,
assistant principal. It is a
school policy that freshmen
can go, but it remains an
unspoken rule.
1 didn't attend any of
the dances when I was
a freshman, not even
Homecoming. Since policy
about freshmen being able
to attend Winter Ball was
not well advertised, I never
knew I could have gone.
I never thought it was
considered such a big deal
as a freshman. Although
Winter Ball is open to all
grades, according to policy,
I think Winter Ball should
be kept for sophomores,
juniors and seniors. Juniors
and seniors can have Prom.
"Being a freshman is
tough, but so is life, and so
they can wait a year just like
everyone else had to," Tara
Galloway, sophomore, said.
"It's just a respect thing and
respecting those who have
put in time is important.
You don't play in the Super
Bowl if you're a rookie after
all."
Some upperclassmen are
annoyed by the freshmen
and the rest of us learn
to live with them. I agree
that some freshmen are
immature; I mean, they just
graduated from middle
school. Upperclassmen
want the respect of
freshmen and freshmen
tend to give upperclassmen
such respect. The ability to
attend Prom, for seniors,
ties into the entire "respect"
aspect.
"Being in high school
does not automatically
entitle you to all of its
privileges. Freshman year
is one part whine and two
parts realizing that your
fuzzy little pre-adolescent
bubble just burst into an
environment to which
you must adapt," Emma
Kennard, sophomore, said.
"Restrictions are necessary
to help them grow and
accept the unbalanced
Photos by Laurel Massaro
reality of actual living."
Freshmen year does come
with certain restrictions,
including not being
permitted to attend Prom.
They should stay away
from Prom and Winter Ball
and take Homecoming for
themselves.
Freshmen are welcome to
break tradition. Attending
Prom is not recommended
and is against the rules.
But if freshmen have junior
or senior dates, by all
means, take advantage of
it and go. Upperclassmen:
be appreciative of your
privileges: Freshmen: cross
your fingers and hope time
flies.
& Kerri Ann Garfield Photography
Montage by Patrick Sluiter
’’Classy Night” was the theme of Winter Ball which was held on Jan. 15 at the Melody Ballroom in downtown Portland. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door and
included free refreshments and fruit.
Core classes prove to be vital for well rounded students
mm,
continued from page 3
In one way or another,
English, math, social studies
and science all connect and
relate to one another. As dif
ferent as English and science
may seem, aspects of each
subject can help in the other.
For instance, constructing
a gram m atically correct
formal lab in chemistry will
earn a higher grade. Infor
mation from one subject can
help students comprehend
inform ation from another
according to West.
So often, students who
think they know exactly what
they want to spend their lives
doing change majors or find
other interests in different
subjects. Exposure to a range
of different subjects broadens
job opportunities, especially
for students entering the work
world.
M any stu d ents do not
know w hat they w ant to
study. Core classes allow
them to explore different
subjects. Having a solid edu
cation in a variety of subjects
opens more job options. To
earn a bachelors degree, it is
mandatory to take specific
classes which include core
subjects both within and out
of your major.
Taking core classes may
seem unnecessary for those
who want to pursue a career in
only one subject, but there are
several good reasons to keep
with it. To continue studying
a certain subject, grades in
all subjects can affect class
schedules. Not everyone can
excel in all subjects or have
the same level of enthusi
asm as others for particular
topics, but understanding
the purpose of learning all
subjects and making an ef
fort is important.