Senior proms are in full-swing, but it's the after-parties Mother's Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is concerned about.
MADD wants people to consider whether prom party favors promote drinking. The local chapter is outraged that Little Rock teenagers are leaving their senior prom with souvenir champagne glasses.
MADD is urging parents to complain to Little Rock Public Schools to put a stop to this high school tradition.
Hall High School seniors will always remember their prom night, with a champagne glass.
MADD says there are consequences to party favors that send mixed messages. That includes mementos you won't want to remember. "Those mementos include things like a DWI citation or an arm band from a hospital emergency room."
MADD Executive Director, Teresa Belew, is also outraged over a martini glass given to Parkview High School students at their senior banquet. "It sends a message we pretty much expect your going to drink. Here's something nice to drink out of."
Little Rock School District spokeswoman, Sue Ellen Vann, disagrees. She says high school seniors have had years of anti-drug and alcohol education.
Vann explains that a committee of high school seniors on every campus pours through catalogues like 'The Stumps Prom and Party catalogue.'
These catalogues are sent to high schools nationwide. Seniors choose what memorabilia they want for their proms and senior banquets.
Vann says choices like these are not uncommon in Little Rock Public Schools and this isn't the first year.
"If it's in the shape of glassware or stemware, we don't want to send a mixed message, but certainly we all have glassware or stemware in the shape of mugs or any number of things in our cabinets at home."
MADD’s complaint is the first complaint Vann says she's aware of. According to MADD, this is the first year they've received calls about it; in this case, the complaints came from the parents and students of Hall and Parkview High Schools.
"Perhaps we're finally getting the word out to teens and parents that the issue of underage drinking and the issue of proms and drinking is a serious problem."
"It hasn't been an issue until now and I don't foresee a district policy from this."
