2nd Edition: Pre-Prom Event at Stoughton High Brings Fashion, Responsibility Together

PRE-PROM EVENT BRINGS FASHION & RESPONSIBILITY TOGETHER: OASIS (Organizing Against Substances in Stoughton) sponsored a pre-prom event at Stoughton High School on February 13 and featured talks by social worker and OASIS Board member Dan Tarlin, Acting Police Chief Robert Devine and Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, as well as opening remarks by SHS Principal Matt Colantonio.  

The goal of the event, held for the second consecutive year, is to reduce youth substance abuse onProm night. And have some fun—there was also a fashion show, with a group of students modeling the latest prom fashions.

The event was hosted by Stephanie Patton, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for Stoughton OASIS. They have tried to make the prom safer by requiring all those attending to sign a "Prom Contract" between parent and student--with an independent witness--that requires students to attend prom substance-free, and that parents or students will not sponsor pre or post-prom events where alcohol or drugs are available.

All students have to sign the contact in order to attend prom.

By signing the contract, parents also agree they will be accessible by phone during the hours of the prom and that no student will be admitted after 8:15 p.m., nor be allowed to leave before 10:30 p.m.

Consequences of violations of the SHS no tolerance policy toward drug and alcohol are clearly spelled out in the contract. 

In addition, OASIS emphasized that talking to your kids may be hard, but it's something you have to do. Speakers said that child do emulate their parents, and that it is important to set parameters that you expect to be followed in your home. Have a discussion about the rules and consequences for drug and alcohol use. Be clear and concise. Pick a time when everyone in calm and can pay attention (for instance, a car ride or over dinner.)

A 2011 Stoughton High survey found that nearly 70% of Stoughton High students reported that their parent or guardians talk to them about the dangers of alcohol and other drugs. Keep talking to your teen, OASIS emphasizes—they ARE listening to you!

Many ideas can be found at www.stoughtonoasis.org. Parents and students can follow OASIS on Twitter (@OASISCoalition), or on Facebook.Get involved. We are U-Knighted to keep Stoughton's youth safe!

Parents and students signed the mandatory prom contract and heard the guest speakers, but the pre-prom event also featured a wonderful fashion show, with ladies in their finest dresses, and men in tuxedos and suits (courtesy Fairy Tales Formals in downtown Stoughton). Students had the chance to win a number of prom-related raffle prizes and visit prom-related vendor tables as well.

Patton said a special thank you to: Stoughton High School for advertising and hosting this event and for Prom Ticket raffle items; Fairy Tales Formals for the dresses and tuxes in the fashion show and their generous raffle item; LA Express & Giovann Salon for the hair styling in the fashion show and generous raffle items; Stoughton Flowers for the corsages and boutonnieres in the fashion show; Mary Kay consultant and Make up artist Cindy Guarino for fashion show make up and generous raffle item; Amy McCain for jewelry used in the fashion show and generous raffle items; Classic Limo for a generous raffle item; Party All Night Long for a ticket to their event; Roche Brothers for a generous raffle item; Posh for the generous raffle item; Jessica’s at the Senior Center for the raffle item; student participants in the fashion show; and OASIS coalition members for their hard work in planning this event and for a pair of prom tickets for the raffle. Sound was provided by OASIS Board member Terry Schneider, Executive Director of the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce.

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Photos in the media gallery by Stoughton Patch editor Jeffrey Pickette.

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