The James Logan Courier

By Michelle Raskin, Courier Staff Writer

Weeks before the class of 2007 held their Senior Ball last month, Principal Don Montoya made an announcement saying that guests couldn't be over an age limit of 20 and that chaperones at the Ball would be checking via photo ID.

Some students and parents disagreed with the rule, which in previous years was not enforce, but most ballgoers arrived at the San Francisco Hilton prepared to have their IDs checked, but the rule was enforced only spottily. Of the five adults who were checking in the students, two adults, Activities Director Linda Kingston and Leadership Advisor Cheryl Kuhlmann,checked IDs. The other three inconsistently checked, setting up a situation in which some students complained that their date's were not asked for ID, and some were angry because they could have attended the dance with their first-choice date who were over the age limit, rather than the back-up dates they did attend with.





Senior Cheryl Eslao, who attended the ball, said "my date was not checked for any ID of any kind. When they did not ask for his ID, like they said they would the week before, I was very upset and I am still upset. I'm hella mad! Because I could have taken my fiance as my date. But to the school, he is considered too old.""

Senior and Courier staff writer Priya Jagannathan, who attended the ball, said "I was checked in by another adult besides Ms. Kuhlman or Ms. Kingston. My date was just asked for her name, and no ID was asked for. "

Montoya said, "they should have been checking. I did hear and saw IDs being checked. But, this rule should have been enforced full speed. I strive to be fair and I am sorry that this happened. We needed to be consistent."

Eslao disagreed with the policy. She said "it is not the school's place or concern to tell us who we can or can not go to prom with just because of their age. If our parents are fine with the person, then why does the school care?"

Montoya defended the rule, saying that "other high schools enforce an age limit and some have the students sign a permission slip."

"As for next year's senior ball, we are thinking about adjusting our policy," Montoya said, "But I personally feel uncomfortable with minors being with adults. It makes it too easy for drinking and other acts. We are trying to make it safe as possible."