For many high school students, prom is a highly anticipated event, a night filled with glamour, fun, and memories that will last a lifetime. However, for the young singers in Troubadors, EHS’s show choir, attending prom is only a dream. The prom schedule this year clashes with the Troubadors annual trip. As a result, they miss out on the high school experience that their peers enjoy, all in pursuit of their passion for music.
Every year the Troubadors take a trip that lasts three days from April 10-13. The last couple years they have competed against other choirs all over the country. They are scored by judges. This year they are going to a competition in Nashville to sing and dance to be judged and placed among the other top choirs.
The choir students are all also very passionate about prom. The Troubadors that don’t get to participate this year are confused about how a scheduling overlap could happen with two very important dates that are consistent every year. The choir has talked to the athletic director, Zac Lemon, who maintains a lot of scheduling priorities and has tried to move the prom date, but the outcome is not looking promising.
With the outcome looking in a negative direction, Lydia Schott (25) said, “I am going to miss spending senior prom with all my friends and being able to buy a nice dress.” Schott is one of 12 in the Troubadors and only three are underclassmen. She is not the only one who is upset, including students who aren’t involved in the Troubadors because it is very well the last prom with some of their friends.
Another student point of view is Lily Kennedy (25). Kennedy is a senior and her twin sister Elly Kennedy (25) is participating in the trip to Nashville. Lily Kennedy said, “It is very upsetting to not spend my last dance ever with my twin sister.” The Kennedy twins have gone to every dance together with their friend group, but that is going to impact their senior memories and traditions. The last moments of high school are treasured just as much, if not more than the firsts.
This type of issue is disappointing for the students because it can be seen as a double standard. The students are held accountable for their homework and troubadour activities outside of school. All of this is expected to be balanced and taken care of. Students are held to their highest standards to create well operating relationships. If the teachers and faculty they are surrounded by are taking small short cuts to create schedules and not being held accountable for their mistakes by finding a solution, then students are going to struggle to be held accountable for their actions and small slip ups.
An inability to attend prom due to a minor scheduling conflict is a significant issue that highlights the importance of careful planning and consideration of students’ needs. Prom is a memorable and formative experience for many high school students, and missing out on it because of a small scheduling problem can cause unnecessary disappointment and frustration. Schools should strive to ensure that such events are accessible to all students by coordinating schedules effectively and addressing potential conflicts in advance. If the administration took the time to sit down and create a flowing schedule like students do every week, then they can ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in these important social and cultural milestones.