As the time comes for this year’s 2024 prom, that also means that seniors find out whether or not they are eligible to attend. After coming back from winter break, many seniors were upset because they were required to fill out an appeal to attend the prom. Some seniors complained that they had done everything to attend prom this year and still got an appeal slip. Could it have been an error?

When interviewing these seniors many seemed concerned and bothered by this issue. Luis Caro (12) said, “I did everything I was supposed to do according to the requirements all seniors had to sign at the beginning of the year, but somehow I still received an appeal notice.”  He then ended up emailing his counselor about the issue. “I emailed my counselor about this and she said there must’ve been a mistake and to talk to the person in charge of the appeals.” He did end up getting his appeal removed because it did not apply to him. Yet most seniors think it is unfair that they are scaring too many qualified seniors when they have done everything this school year to attend prom.

Although there were many mistakes, seniors who deserved the appeal notice were aware of the issue, but they just thought that the reasons were minor and due to minor technicalities.  Alex Colio (12) stated, “I do understand that I got an appeal because of my tardies, but I only had one extra tardy more than the six we’re supposed to have, and I’m never late because I want to be.” This senior expressed how stressed he became because he was trying his best to go to prom. He explained, “I always have to help my little sister in the morning and get her to school. She is in elementary and we have to take her to her school then I have to walk to BCCHS. Sometimes the bus does not come on time, so I stress because I have to get her to school and myself as well, and if I’m late, I’m about 2-5 minutes late.”

Kayley Soto (12), one of the seniors who did not get an appeal, said, “I did hear that people had issues with the prom appeals but I am so glad I didn’t. I did everything I was supposed to for me to attend the prom and it paid off for me.”

Even though some seniors didn’t get what they wanted in the appeal process, I’m happy to write that most seniors are very excited to be attending this year’s prom.