Ashley Schackow

A month ago from today, I wrote a letter to my spring formal committee considering the dress code. Two weeks before prom, they decided that they were going to change the rules in regard to the type of dress you could wear. I had already purchased my dress two months before, so when I found out that it didn’t meet their standards, I am sure you could understand that I was pissed. Two weeks before prom I had to find some type of “covering” or jacket to go over my shoulders and back due to my dress having a laced up back and spaghetti straps. If I didn’t comply, I wouldn’t even be allowed in.

I got a response back the next day stating that basically the rules were the rules and that they could refund part of my money. Although I was still upset, I still decided to go because it was my senior year. So I went only to find that several of the other girls who had dresses like mine was able to wear theirs without a “covering”. Some had one shoulder while others had larger straps. Some even had no straps. I think being there and seeing that pissed me off more than getting the news. They didn’t even enforce the guidelines like they stated they would be. It was just a load of bull crap that actually kept me from enjoying the full experience of Spring Formal because I was sweating my butt off dancing.

Not to mention, I really felt like they chose who they were going to actually allow to wear their dresses. Which is totally unfair. You can’t tell one set of girls they can’t do something and then allow all the rest to do it. That’s not right and very inconsiderate. Not to mention, I’m a senior…there’s no need to tell me how to dress. For the past 6 years, modesty has been drilled into my head. I think I know what is modest and immodest.

Fast forward to a couple days ago, I received an e-mail from one of the committee members stating that because of my e-mail, the committee members have decided to make an official policy that will be sent out months before Spring Formal. Girls will be allowed to wear anything that doesn’t have a plunging neckline and isn’t too short. Straps will not be an issue anymore, so no “covering” will be needed. Of course they decide this after I am unable to go. Oh well.

Funny thing is is that my mom didn’t think I should complain about it. But, hey, thanks to me complaining, none of the girls will be dictated what they can and cannot wear. To all the girls who will be attending Spring Formal in the coming years…you’re welcome. Feel free to send thank you gifts to my house. Preferably chocolate or flowers. Yeah, that is good.

Moral of this blog post: Don’t let people dictate what you can and cannot do. If you don’t like something, complain. You never know what a little complaining can do.