Where There’s A Will…

To the Editor:

It’s very unfortunate that the pride of the PTSA was so deeply wounded by the events last Friday night after the senior prom. After all, they only wanted to create a safe and secure environment that students would actually enjoy. Though, I think it would have been helpful if they had placed themselves in the position of a high school student after one of the most anticipated days of one’s high school career, short of graduation. It isn’t very tough to conclude that a typical senior may not be very interested in a magic show after prom. Perhaps the PTSA should consider hosting birthday parties for a younger crowd?

Nevertheless, I feel a very important issue has been overlooked throughout the entire controversy surrounding the Gissen incident. Put simply, we are all very much human, and it is just a tad bit ignorant to pretend as if the delicate sensibilities of 18-year-olds will be much offended by the presence of alcohol at a party. After all, have we forgotten what is only just around the corner for graduating seniors? If students are that sheltered, then they’ll have an even harder time making the transition from high school to college.

I am not claiming that the Gissens took the most logical approach to this issue. Rather, I am merely claiming that it would be good for our community if we lightened up somewhat and took a more realistic approach to the issue of teenage drinking. Rest assured, if a high school student wants to drink, then they’ll drink. It’s an inevitable part of that age group, and anyone who tries to deny that fact is deceiving themselves. It’s up to the parents to decide if they want it to take place in a controlled environment (let’s say in a house where every student who decides to drink is handing their keys over to the parents) or outside of the home (maybe in a nice SUV on Main Street! Big cars are safe, right?).

I think it would have been much more productive for that hypnotist to put some of the adults in our community into a trance — those who took every effort to dismantle the party before its inception, those who immediately sought retribution when it was over. Maybe he would say, “When I snap my fingers, you won’t act so self-righteous.” Why didn’t Mrs Gottesman and other school administrators respond the second they heard about this party? Why didn’t they try to stop it? Because they retain their sanity. They realized that it simply wasn’t their place to do so. Good for them!

Travis Hunter

Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook                                         May 14, 2007