By Shannon David
Carrboro Commons Writer

“Get pumped CHS juniors because the first ever Carrboro High School prom is here! Get ready to turn the lights down and turn the music up,” read weekly announcements at Carrboro High School.

Students at Carrboro High School lined up on April 21, 2008 to buy tickets to Carrboro High School’s first prom. The prom will be held at the Carrboro Century Center on May 10, 2008 from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Staff photo by Shannon David

On May 10, Carrboro High School will hold its first prom from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Carrboro Century Center.

The student body has been working hard all year to put on this event. “We have pretty much done everything,” said Erin Harrington, student body co-president. “We have been in charge of finding a DJ, finding a venue, picking out a theme. We are doing most of the grunt work really.”

According to Harrington, the theme for the prom is “Glow in the Dark,” and the catch phrase for event is, “turn the lights down and turn the music up.”

Harrington has worked closely with fellow student Andrew Morin in planning the prom, and Harrington and Morin believe that students overall are excited about the upcoming event.

“We had problems promoting spirit at first,” said Morin. “Some kids said they would rather go to prom at Chapel Hill High.”

“And originally we were disappointed that we couldn’t afford a nice venue like a hotel,” continued Harrington, “but we are really happy with how everything turned out.”

According to Harrington, the Carrboro High School’s first prom will stand out in comparison to others. “Our prom is more laid-back, chill and hang out with all of your best friends,” said Harrington. “It is definitely not your typical prom; it is more ‘Carrboro’.”

The students are not the only ones with high hopes for Carrboro High School’s first prom; the entire Carrboro High School community is excited.

Principal Jeff Thomas looks forward to attending the event and said, “We hope that it is going to be safe and fun for our students.”

Despite high expectations, many precautionary safety measures are being put in place to ensure a safe, substance-free event for the students.

Diane Rothwell, junior class parent representative on the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA), said, “There have been issues in the past with drinking, not at a school-sponsored event but elsewhere. My concern as a parent would be first and foremost safety.”

Officer Steve Champion with the Carrboro Police Department is assigned to Carrboro High School full- time, and according to Champion, there will be three police officers at the event along with several faculty members volunteering as chaperones. The chaperones will be trained that evening on how to use a breathalyzer.

“We will be breathalyzing every student before they enter to make sure they have not been consuming alcohol,” said Champion.

Even with these security measures, Champion has high hopes for the prom and believes it should be an enjoyable event. Champion said jokingly, “It should be a nice event; it’s next to a police station, so how much trouble can they get into?”

Rothwell shared similar positive sentiments. “I think it is generally a good group of kids,” said Rothwell, “I think most kids just want to go and have a good time without the use of substances.”

Tickets for Carrboro High School’s first prom went on sale Monday, April 21; $30 for a single ticket and $50 per couple.