May 30, 2012
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The principal of a Connecticut high school is defending her decision to end the longtime tradition of allowing students to vote for a prom king and queen over fears that the winners might be bullied.
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But students at Kaynor Tech High School in Waterbury, Conn. have accused Principal Lisa Hylwa of bowing to political correctness.
In the past, the prom court was selected by a student vote. But Hylwa said she wanted to keep drama out of the prom and stop bullying. Instead, students who attended prom were invited to put their names in a box and the court was selected randomly.
“A lot of kids just think it’s unfair because you know, it’s a prom tradition,” student Jennifer Buonocore told television station WTNH. The station reported that it was flooded with comments from students wondering why the tradition was changed.
The principal said that all the students deserve an opportunity to participate as prom king and queen.
“This method gives everyone the same opportunity o be a member of the prom court and it supports the positive spirit of our school, period,” Hylwa wrote in a terse email to Fox News Radio. “There is no hidden agenda with this, no reason for ‘hurt feelings’ or adding another issue on to a teenager’s full plate that could ‘spark’ jealousy, ‘mean behavior’ or bullying.”
The principal said the new way of selecting a prom court “eliminates the avenue for the pressure to vote for members of the clique in charge or for any other issues that could open the door to amplified drama which may lead to any type of ‘mean behavior’ or equity controversy.”
She said the traditional method of voting for prom king and king was “beyond obsolete.”
“There was no option for the student or students who did the most for the class to win or a ‘noble’ reason such as a child who was terminally ill winning the prize,” she wrote. “This was a popularity contest with no criteria. The fact is, there are enough popularity contests in high school so why sponsor another one that may have negative consequences?”
“Cliques are real bullies by the way,” she added.
Hylwa said she feared a “Carrie” incident at this year’s prom, referring to the 1976 horror film.
“A student did complain on Facebook and to the school staff that she/he could not sleep the night before because she/he feared being bullied by being selected as prom queen,” she wrote. “It was going to be a mean spirited prank. She was not sure.”
“I was not taking a chance,” the principal said. “Sounds like ‘Carrie’ but we can’t brush it aside in today’s atmosphere. Connecticut has the CT Bullying Law and we are not playing in the Nutmeg state.”
But students like Buonocore said there’s no bullying at the prom.
“I don’t feel like anyone in our class would ever do something like that or in the junior class, that’s just mean and we’re not mean,” she told the television station.
But the principal said the new rules won’t be changed.
“I have no more time to waste on this ‘non story’,” she wrote. “I have a serious job to do.”
FOX News Talk
Give me a break!
Everybody looks at the bad teachers. I have always been one to tell people, take a look at the incompetent leaders of our educational system, from the top down. It's about time we started getting rid of the administrators along with the bad teachers, maybe then we can make the changes that our educational system so sorely needs.
So everybody should have the chance to be Prom king and queen huh? And everybody should be rich and smart and successful, ain't going to happen Teach.
Why don't we just put names in a hat and pick the next President…
Ms. Hylwa just wants to ensure that all is fair and equal in her school. That's because she is charged with schooling and educating those young minds in the ways of the world. You see, the world will always treat those kids fairly and equally…right?
When those students graduate, they will be ready for a fair and just world where there will always be someone to look out for their collective feelings and coddle them and protect them from unfairness…right?
That's the problem with some of our schools and the mentality that runs them. Students are led to believe that the real world will be just like their school world…fair, just, nurturing, concerned, supportive.
The reality is the real world those kids are about to enter is nothing like the school environment that has protected them from that real world. There will be nobody to ensure they are treated fairly or to keep the bullies away or to ensure a boss or supervisor is always nice and understanding. Nobody to coddle their feelings.
Good luck kids!
I don't see why the kids could not have voted if they wanted the tradition done away with, not that would have been politically correct!
So because 1 student may or may not have been worried about a "Carrie incident" (which incidently is ridiculous) the entire school has to bend to the will of a principle who is obviously still working through her high school issues. The school board needs to remove to woman and send her into councilling. And the student body should just go ahead and have their vote on their own and ignore the principal. That's something that can be done outside school hours and off of school property.
I guess it would be all right with her if we picked a president the same way. With her line of thinking nothing would be voted on it would all be chosen by picking a name from a hat. That way everyone has a chance…good grief this country has turned into a bunch p@#$%$s.
I'm tired of the Presidents, on both sides of the fence, being "bullied" before and after elections to. So, let's do away with that too. Heck, let do away with ALL voting of anykind, because those pesky LOSERS just might take it poorly.
She said the traditional method of voting for prom king and king was “beyond obsolete.” I'll bet she feels the same way about the Presidential election.
Yep! You can bet she was a cow. She has two cohorts who are just as rotten as she is. They all look alike and were probably nasty in high school.
I LOVE THESE STORIES. WHEN WILL PARENTS AND STUDENTS TAKE BACK THEIR SCHOOLS FROM THESE "professional" MISFITS. REMEMBER THOSE THAT CAN–DO. THOSE THAT CAN'T— TEACH OR BECOME ADMINISTRATORS WHO BUILD THEIR OWN LITTLE FIEFDOMS. THE HELL WITH THOSE THAT GET IN THEIR WAY.
Political Correctness is the main social desiese of our society and has been for 2 decades plus. It all started with the concept that instead of spanking my child for doing something they knew they wern't suppose to sit and do a Time Out and its been a part of the Liberal agenda ever since. Flash forward to today, The youth generation today has no respect for anything especially their parents or any other adult. The days of Yes Maam and No maam are gone and along with it goes most of the other morals our youth should have been taught. We've raised a generation of people who can't think for themselves, cant do for themselves without someone elses help. Their whole childhood they were coddled and told everytime they made a mistake that Awwww its ok, you didn't know any better, its not your fault, blah blah blah! I don't know how many times I've witnessed 7-10yr olds being uttterly disrespectful toward adults and every chance I get I make sure their parents know about it and if the parents didn't appreciate me doing that, with something like mind my own business id come back with, well if you did your damn job I wouldn't have to! But to even suggest that this generation is as or more prepared to venture out into the world as say the kids from the 60s and 70s is delusional!
Amen
I have to agree. An example – I was watching Deadliest Catch last night and this Greenhorn (AKA- Nub) was getting picked on for not doing his job fast enough. Well, he started whining and when the boat pulled in, the kid just walked off the boat and the job wasn't even finished. Still need to off load the crab. I looked over to Tracey and said what a PU$$Y! I and every other NUB got picked on by every guy on my first boat until we qualified and got our fish.
This kid got paid somewhere between 10-20K for 8 weeks work. So he gets paid outrageous money and harassed for 8 weeks. We were making less than 15 K a year and I got harassed for 9 months until I got my fish.
Yep, that is a lot of today's kids.
Well it's certainly easy to tell the difference betweens todays kids who had proper parenting and those who were disciplined under the PC method. I just hope there are enough of them to cover the leadership this society will need in the future!
I wonder how the Randomly-Drawn-King-and-Queen will feel about the honor of being drawn out of a hat? Certainly, they will not be bullied.
It is downright shocking how many of you cannot spell principal.
Don't even have to see the Principles Picture, high achieving Liberal, who was never a Prom Queen but wanted to be. So now shes getting her revenge.
Hi Jeff how r u doing.
My high school did that back in 1994. Not a big deal. There is NOTHING that would "qualify" a teen to be prom queen or king. There is no special work involved. They aren't smarter. They aren't necessarily prettier. They aren't better. This gives a shot to all.
And what qualifies a person to be student body leader? Unless you're telling me that every student body president is valedictorian, top athlete, top artist, and top musician. It's a popularity contest that looks good on college applications. Unfair if you ask me.
We are not all equal. Sorry to say what needs to be said, but prettier people have more options in life. Some people are born or raised ignorant. It's sad… it might not be their fault but it's a fact. Strive for equality all you want, you will never obtain it.
Why do we even need a principal? Lets eliminate her position. I am sure there were some other persons who were not selected for the position whose 'feelings' were hurt when they did not get the job! Let's just let everyone do his or her 'thing' because we really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or make them angry!
typical baloney from the education sector. We have a saying in my trade those that can do, those that can't manage and those that can do neither teach. I'm not a bible thumper but this sure sounds familiar "As for my people, children are their oppressors , and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err , and destroy the way of thy paths".
typical baloney from the education sector. We have a saying in my trade those that can do, those that can't manage and those that can do neither teach. I'm not a bible thumper but this sure sounds familiar "As for my people, children are their oppressors , and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err , and destroy the way of thy paths".
No more honor roll, it makes the dumb kids feel bad
Bet she went to her prom with her brother.
Bet she went to her prom with her brother.
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
Eliminate bullying? If these seniors are not past all that by their prom then the may need to be set back a year or 2 and allowed to mature some. I agree with other posts that say this Principal has mental problems!
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
What a great idea! let's save time, money, and name calling and just select the president of the US and representatives by having a drawing from anyone who wants to put his/her name in the hat.
Maybe we should follow the lead of the principle for State and National elections. They are only popularity contests. Let's just draw names in each state, for both state and federal offices.
Maybe we should follow the lead of the principle for State and National elections. They are only popularity contests. Let's just draw names in each state, for both state and federal offices.
I can't figure out how civilization has made it this far….. Was I somehow lucky to miss the mind control experiments that were performed on people like this? Worse yet, these people work for US!
I can't figure out how civilization has made it this far….. Was I somehow lucky to miss the mind control experiments that were performed on people like this? Worse yet, these people work for US!
Maybe the students should be allowed to put the names of all the teachers in a hat, and then select the principal so everyone gets an even chance.
Maybe the students should be allowed to put the names of all the teachers in a hat, and then select the principal so everyone gets an even chance.
Sounds like she is a real witch to me – she needs a life.
A.
This school is so f#*ked up.
Idiocy at its worst. Can the principle. OHHS class of 1975.
The school taking away your right to choose because they think it will do some harm to someone somewhere. Getting up in the morning might do you some harm but you get up. Another example of another democrat with a utopian ideal of how the world should be. Here is an idea if some student abuses another student then discipline the trouble maker.
LOL LOL LOL LOL! I love these stories! I thought I would miss the comic strips since I don't get the paper anymore.
This type of selection will not last, possibly not even for a year. It's dumb and ridiculous. Students won't buy into it, and my guess is few of the teachers or staff or parents will either. If Ms Thing tries this next year, it would serve her right to have a empty box from which to draw winners' names.
{{But the principal said the new rules won’t be changed.
“I have no more time to waste on this ‘non story’,” she wrote. “I have a serious job to do.”}}.
Right….like supporting the teacher's unions, undermining the values and traditions of most parents, dumbing down the student body, indoctrinating her young charges with every form of political correctness and moral perversion, advancing socialism, etc. It's a tough job.