When I think of prom, there are many things that come to mind. At the top of the list, of course, are things such as a hot date, Cinderella type dresses, and romantic themes such as "The Last Waltz", or "The Night of Our Lives".
When I think of jazz, I think of slow music, without a strong beat. I think saxaphones and brass instruments. I think the South. I think old times - I would never go to a jazz concert - It seems as though something my grandparents would enjoy, but not I.
So what do prom and jazz have in common? At first glance, nothing. Most of the members of AMES student council have a different opinion. "All that Jazz" is going to be the theme of AMES prom this year.
Spare me. Please. That is the ABSOLUTE WORST prom theme I have EVER heard of.
Honestly, I think student council lost it's touch this year. Previously, we've had pretty good dance themes -- Neon Night, Mix and Match Mamba -- and prom themes - Red Carpet (or something similar) and A Night in Paris. This year though? Harvest Hoedown and Snowflake Slam. SERIOUSLY? Those sound like something that a junior high student came up with.
I was determined to not let prom be disgraced by a terrible theme. It's my senior year, and I wanted prom to be simply magical, with a magical theme. We actually had a pretty good theme at the top of the list "Starry Night/Night of Our Lives". Not sure how we could've meshed those together, but it would still be pretty cool.
So how did "All that Jazz" become our theme? Starry Night lost by 3 votes. Prom still possibly could've been saved, had it not been for the hesitation of yours truly. I didn't want to go against the crowd. Ha -- an actual real-life application of a psych concept -- I totally fell prey to conformity. One person even asked "Is anyone absolutely opposed to everything?" Did I raise my hand? No. Sorry -- I am going to try to rectify my mistake, but I fear that it's too late.
So yes. Now we're stuck with a total "non"-prom theme. How would you even decorate for that?? The only half-way decent idea I heard is having a silhouette projected onto the curtain behind the DJ.
Some may argue that "All that Jazz" is a perfect non-traditional theme, befitting of a non-traditional high-school. Yes. In the area of academics and school unity, we are a very non-traditional high-school. However, our students are teenagers like everyone else. We still enjoy romance. We still want fun, exciting themes, even if they may be the most comon theme in the world. So, please -- don't assume that the majority of students want to be non-traditional in the area of school dances.
To those reading this: If you agree even somewhat with the things I've said, please -- show it. Share this post with your friends -- on Facebook, through e-mail, etc. Also -- I've started a petition to change the prom theme. If you're willing to support that, please, come to Skunkworks tomorrow, March 13th. Help me show that we expect more of our student council representatives.
Tia,
ReplyDeleteI just hope you know that this is truly a terrible way for any Student Council member to act. This shows your lack of support within the club and also shows that instead of letting the majority of the students choose a prom theme - you are being selfish and wanting prom to be all for you. There are plenty of people that have complained about the Starry Night/Night of our Lives idea. Not only cheesy and overly done but where would the fun be in it? A starry backdrop? Wow, I could go outside during the night and get the same effect. I'm glad you are a senior and that you wont be on student council next year because this behavior is highly uncalled for and shows lack of character and support.
Sincerely, Everyone that hates "Starry Night/Night of our Lives"
I second everything said in this comment. Had I been the first to post, I would have said pretty much the same thing.
DeleteI am sorry for clearly offending you by sharing my honest opinion. If I may, however, I will address the accusations made against me.
DeleteYou say that "instead of letting a majority of students choose a prom theme -- you are being selfish and wanting prom to be all for you." I may not be letting a majority of student council choose a prom theme. However, many student council representatives said that their college forum preferred the idea of the "Starry Night" theme. If we were truly attempting to let the majority of the students choose a prom theme, then each representative should have voted for the theme that a majority of their COLLEGE FORUM preferred, not them, personally. If this had been done, and All that Jazz still would have won, I would have gone along with it without complaint.
There may be many people who have complained about the "Starry Night" theme. However, I doubt there would be people saying "AMES is the lamest school. Why can't we have a normal theme" (or something similar), had it been chosen as a theme. Yes, I actually heard this; no, I did not say it myself.
As for the backdrop -- it would not be starry. It would most likely be the painting "Starry Night" by Van Gogh -- not your typical background.
This may indeed show a lack of support. However, I have heard many people complain about the dance themes that student council came up with this year. In an effort to prevent this from happening for this dance, and because it's my last high-school dance, I decided to see what people really feel -- all the school, not just student council.
Well, I think you need to re-evaluate your thoughts and opinions. I also go to AMES and I've talked to MANY members of Student Council and they have said that there were TWO opportunities to say if you didn't like the theme, which you did not take. Freaking out now and making a petition to change it is extremely childish and you should just stop. Life is going to be full of disappointments and making a petition that very few people are going to sign isn't going to help. So you aren't getting the classic prom. Big. Freaking. Deal. There are a lot of people who are already buying dresses for the Jazz theme, so even if your petition gets signed by enough people for McGill to even consider it, you'll be potentially wasting lots of people's money and time. Before making a petition to change something you had more than enough opportunities to speak up on, but didn't, you should think about what it'll do to others.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for offending you. I may indeed need to rethink my opinions.
DeleteAs for the opportunities to say if I didn't like the theme. There was one. Yes, I did not take that opportunity. I was afraid to go against the crowd -- I believe the psychological term for it is the Asch effect -- everyone was going along with it, and I didn't want to be the one to complain about it.
You may say "well, isn't that what you're doing now?" Yes, it is. However, it's much easier to do things when you're not being intimidated by the one person who essentially commands student council meetings, and almost always gets their way. In addition, before I made a big stink about this, I wanted to see what other people thought. I've actually talked to over 60 people who say that they'd prefer a different theme.
As for McGill -- he doesn't decide the prom theme -- he only has to approve it, to make sure we don't to something that could be disastrous. Had Mrs Spencer already e-mailed him with our prom choice, there indeed wouldn't be much I could do. However, I believe that no such e-mail was sent, as I talked to Mrs Spencer earlier and she said something to that effect.
As for those who are already buying dresses for the Jazz theme -- it's prom. I'm sure one dress would work just as well for a different theme.
I support you Tia. I see nothing wrong with making your opinion heard, and if others agree with you then you're also helping stand up for others votes, not just your own. Theres nothing selfish about that.
ReplyDeleteAs an AMES student not on the student council I agree with a lot of the statements you made like "Harvest Hoedown and Snowflake Slam. SERIOUSLY? Those sound like something that a junior high student came up with." I have also found the AMES dance themes to be dull, and relatively orthodox.
The starry night theme sounds like a great. That particular painting by Van Gogh is one of my favorites. I have it saved as the back ground on my phone.
All I can say is stick to what you believe, and don't let another council member define your actions as childish and selfish. Clearly there are some or maybe only one (judging by the similar negative comments) council members who think their opinion is superior. I disagree, and I think what your addressing is an on going trend that I've heard other members of the student council talk about.
One person making ideas and getting their way.
While the others disagree.
DeleteThank you for supporting me.
DeleteIf you wanted a typical prom you should have gone to Cottonwood's. AMES has never promoted date dances and for the majority of the student body, prom is not about romance. I have no problem with people stating their opinions, but the majority has spoken. Throwing a fit only shows your immaturity. There are always people who are unhappy about the themes, but this is the most unprofessional display I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI did go to Cottonwoods. It sucked -- there was no energy, and it wasn't nearly as fun as the AMES dances.
DeleteAnd actually, the majority hadn't spoken then. The majority of student council, yes; the majority of students, no.
Anyway -- what's done is done and now we officially have All that Jazz as our theme.
anonymous person who keeps saying the negative things should stop, it is a form of bullying! all tia did was state an opinion and act upon a belief. no one should be controlled! if you say that she is being childish then you are too by going on and on about wrong "individualism" is. i have my opinions, you have yours and tia has hers. just let her be! if this bullying does not stop, i will report it mr. gcgill
ReplyDeleteeveryone has their own opinion and is entitled to them. anonymous person that keeps saying negative things this is a form of bullying and if this persists i will report you to mr. gcgill.
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ReplyDeleteThanks Little Elf, but I can handle it. I don't think anything else will happen anyway.
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