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That time of year
The dresses are bought, the tuxedos are rented and the decorations are in the works.
On Saturday night, more than 200 students will get together to attend the '009 Casino Royale Fort Scott High School Prom.
According to Fort Scott High School prom sponsor Bert Lewis, prom walk-in will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will last until 8 p.m. Immediately following walk-in, the prom, which will be conducted at the Liberty Theatre, 113 S. Main, will begin at 8 p.m. and last until 11 p.m.
In order to make prom a safe experience for all of the students who attend, FSPD School Resource Officer Toby Nighswonger said he will be at prom, and there will be extra police officers on duty that night. He added the goal of both the local police department and the local school district is for every student who attends prom to stay safe while having a fun time.
According to FSHS Principal Bob Beckham, another safety measure the high school has in place to help make prom a safe experience is the use of a breathalyzer to make sure prom attendees have not been drinking before they arrive at prom.
"We don't do it (breathalyzers) to catch kids," Beckham said. "We do it to protect the environment at the dance. We want all negative results from the breathalyzers."
Beckham added, Nighswonger has helped make prom a safe experience during the last few years.
"Officer Nighswonger adds to the credibility of a safe and orderly environment," Beckham said.
Checking in on their children throughout the course of the evening is one important step parents can take in order to keep their youth safe on prom night, according to Nighswonger.
"The police department stresses to make sure you know where your children are and to check in on them," Nighswonger said. "With the age of cell phones, there is no reason not to know where your kids are at all times."
FSHS senior Amanda McDaniel said she is really looking forward to her senior prom. She added her favorite part of prom is spending time on the dance floor with her classmates.
"What I look forward to most about prom is dancing with my date and with my friends," McDaniel said.
Fort Scott High School alumi Alex and Austin Ward also known as AL-GAE DJ Services will be on hand Saturday night to provide the musical entertainment for prom goers.
While McDaniel will be spending much of her time on the dance floor, her date sophomore Griffin Knopp said he is looking forward to the after prom party.
"I am just looking forward to the after prom party," Knopp said.
According to an After Prom Party flyer, the party, which is completely sponsored by the parents of FSHS juniors, will be conducted from 11 p.m. until 2:30 a.m. in the FSHS gymnasium. After prom party attendees do not have to attend prom in order to be included in the party, the flyer said. Those attending the party must arrive at the event by midnight, and once a student leaves the party, he or she cannot return to the event, the flyer said.
Nighswonger said he thinks the after prom party helps keep the local prom goers safe.
"Since I have been part of it for the last couple of years, I can't encourage or praise the after prom party enough," he said. "I think it puts the students in the safest possible place, and it's fun for them. There has not so far been any increase in minor-related crimes in the city limits or crashes that involve minors on prom night. We want to keep it that way."
Students who attend the after prom party will be able to take part in various activities such as Dance Dance Revolution, watch a prom walk-in video, and try out several inflatables, including joust, obstacle course, bungee run, boxing and tricycle. In addition, all juniors and seniors who attend the party will receive a prize. Some of the party prizes that will be handed out during the event are a television, car CD player and installation, $50 gift card, GPS, digital camera, MP3 Players and a Wii.
According to Lewis, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday night, parents and grandparents will be allowed to take a peek in side the Liberty Theatre to see the decorations which will be completed by the junior class officers and junior class decorating committee.