Will prom be a night you can't remember?
By Kaitlyn Burkett Special to The Acorn

READY TO ROLL- Oak Park High School students prepare to leave for their prom last Saturday night. Students relaxed on a cruise around Marina Del Rey before enjoying dinner and dancing at Harbor House.

Seniors in high school still plan and enthusiastically honor the tradition of prom with handsome couple pictures and specially designed boutonnieres. But while today's fast-lane generation rents Hummer limos and drive their own vehicles on this special night, students need to still celebrate "a night to remember" and not turn it into "a night you can't remember."

It is no secret that underage alcohol abuse has become prominent in high schools across the country and it is important for students to be completely aware and realistic about their safety as well as the safety of their peers.

Students who choose alternative transportation, or who are simply driving to and from their limo, need to be especially cautious. According to The Century Council, 676 people under the age of 21 died in alcoholrelated traffic accidents in the period between prom night and graduation nationwide in 2005.

If attending an after-party, the phrase "be smart" goes a long way. The usual "don't drink and drive" and "don't leave your beverage unattended" always come into play. However, the most prominent issue with teens today is the "it won't happen to me" attitude. Teenagers are not invincible superheroes with the ability to escape trauma or death, and should not live with this destructive mentality. Prepare beforehand by making sure a cellphone is always in hand with numbers such as "Home," "Mom's Cell" and "Dad's Cell" programmed in.

"No matter how strong the family relationship, many parents are still unaware of the choices teens face every day," said Ray Palermo, director of public information for Teachers' Insurance Plan.

Yes, small tactics and precautions will lend for a safer night, but the key to making prom a positive and exciting experience is communication. Parents should get involved in the prom plans; however, getting involved does not mean dictating. At this age, most teens are eager to experience freedom and independence and it is important to preview adolescents with the realities they will face next year. Parents should know the group their child is attending prom with, when they are leaving, and where they will be going afterwards.

As for the antsy seniors, help out those worrying parents. By letting parents in on plans and checking in throughout the night, grads will be put their parents at ease. In turn, parents will be more open to giving their trust. A winwin situation.

Prom is a gift to the students from the school as a reward for four years of hard work and dedication. If students keep this mentality in mind and respond thankfully and responsibly, prom will not just be a night to remember, but a night they will never want to forget.

Kaitlyn Burkett is a senior at Westlake High School who gives Acorn readers regular updates about campus life.