Real Frisco

Once upon a time, young girls dreamed about their prom. Countless comedy, dramas, horror and romantic movies were based on the special occasion. However, schools dances have been a floozy ever since middle school, when the highlight was the last 10 minutes when the disco lights would come on and we would dance to the Cha Cha Slide.

Homecoming, which was once a huge event in Frisco with a parade down Main Street and floats built by schools, is now reduced to having a football game at the old Frisco Memorial stadium, while Pizza Hut Park is occupied by yet another high school. Our Homecoming dance is held in our school cafeteria. This includes seeing the same people I see every day, only in dresses and holding a Sprite. Apparently, FISD policy does not allow dances to be held in our gyms, as it would scratch the flooring. Homecoming also consists of a slew of cringe worthy songs. However, I blame that on our generation. Rap music cannot be danced to politely. We are allowed to dance "front to front" but not "front to back". Excessive grinding is inappropriate, and all involved will be given a warning. This can be detoured by dancing in the middle of the crowd, but you run the risk of getting smothered to death by the grinders next to you. Whenever a country song or rock song is played, the floor clears or people mill around and talk.

The idea of a Valentines Dance was tossed around, and in fact, one was planned last year. However, less than a grand total of 20 people bought tickets, and it was cancelled. Why spend your Valentines at school with a teacher eyeing you and your date? The dance itself was advertised as "formal casual" meaning jeans were allowed, therefore not really making it a romantic dance.

Prom is known as a rite of passage during adolescence. However, prom is becoming overrated, with and in a strict district such as FISD, school dances are becoming, well….lame. Centennial's prom is not held in Frisco. It is located 40 minutes away at Southfork Ranch. This has been suggested by some as a detour to discourage teens from drinking, and then having to drive so far away. Teens are going to drink on prom whether they run the risk of running over a cow or not. Having prom at the embassy Suites sounds like a great idea, but it was turned down because, "There are too many opportunities to make poor choices". Why should the rest of us suffer because a few selective individuals choose not to behave appropriately? Not many people come to prom because it is only open to seniors and their dates. What fun is only a group of 300 people when you could have a junior/senior prom like the rest of the country and have 600 people? Many stayed an hour, and then left to go to after parties. Why spend the $75 a person ticket, $200 for dress and shoes, and countless time on hair, nails and makeup to only show up for one hour? Prom is just another dance, with the same music and the same people you see in Algebra 2.

I've heard stories about magical proms and amazing Homecoming dances. However, they haven't been from anyone in the past decade, and certainly not from anyone in Frisco. The only thing I've heard about the best part of CHS prom is the chocolate fountain. I suppose it's worth the 40 minutes drive for that.