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A Tradition in Jeopardy?
The cancellation of the annual winter formal at Hillcrest, the "Ladies Pay All" (LPA) dance, is the focus of the latest HTV Special Assignment. The story, filed by reporter Kaitlynn Keller and photographer Kelsi Moos, touches on a number of issues, including attempts by the school to curb the problem, and the reaction of teens who opposed those efforts. "Grinding" and other suggestive dance moves observed at the Homecoming dance last October caused concern among administrators. It is an issue nationwide, as principals try to find a way to control the sexually charged atmospheres at school dances. Keller talked to Hillcrest principal Jay Rush, who said he has received complaints from parents and students the last two years after Homecoming and LPA. Rush's question for students is, "If your mom, or your grandmother, or the	newspaper, walked in there (to the dance), would we be proud of what they saw?" The LPA dance was scheduled for February 12. A letter from the PTSA president was placed on the school website the week leading up to LPA, encouraging parents to attend and monitor the dancing and provide feedback. That letter, according to some students, was the "final straw," and a texting campaign began. Messages quickly circulated asking students to boycott the dance. It worked. Only 47 tickets were sold. On February 11, the dance was canceled and refunds were given. "They're clearly showing they don't like what's going on with dances now, and what administration is doing," said Student Council Dance Commissioner Caleb Hames. Some students were disappointed. Junior Jordan Gardner said, "Truthfully, not a	lot of parents would have shown up, because parents know that's just how we dance nowadays." While the LPA was canceled, that did not mean there would be no dance. A group of HHS students arranged for a private dance February 26 in downtown Springfield, where only the club security guards were on duty. Dubbed "LPA 2" by organizers, Keller and Moos talked to students at the off-site dance like junior Shawn Underwood, who said, "It's a lot more free-lance. A lot more fun." The story is part of HTV Magazine #176, which debuts March 6 on the Ozarks CW. Top|Home