The Big Dance

This is the last big push for prom. The big event is tomorrow afternoon, evening and early morning. I have seen things go from chaos and insurrection to beautiful masterpiece. I have pulled through this event with the help of a few very strong friends that have really picked me up and carried me through this. I owe them so much.

When you look at the works of art that stand on our stage for grand march it makes every insult and attack milt away. My vision is realized and its amazing. But as I stand before the draw bridge that the girls will walk out I wonder... "What does prom celebrate?" As I gaze upon the ice castle where the boys will emerge in their tuxedos, I pause and think... "What are we doing here with this grand regalia? What are we worshiping?"

Prom is a celebration of youth and beauty. It stands as a time where kids take a break from their busy schedules and dress up and have fun. It’s a party... a day away. Is that ok? Sure! Why not. I love to see my kids, especially the girls who normally wear jeans and t-shirts in their fancy gowns, their hair and nails done professionally. For many its the only day they will were makeup that year. But what about the commitment?

I spend countless hours this month toiling over every detail. From every decoration to meal details, to seating charts and dj details and contracts and table clothes. I am not near the art teacher in the spring that I am in the fall. Is that ok? I don't know. I sure put on beautiful proms. If that is your priority than I guess that its fine. But what about the financial cost?

Our school... just the junior class, spends about $3,000 dollars on prom. That doesn't even begin to figure in what the parents bring in for donations and spend on door prizes, casino night merchandise and food. Then there is what the optimists spend on the early morning breakfast and grand door prize. That is quite the total I am sure. But that doesn't begin to figure in the expense that each youth (or more accurately often the parents) spend on prom. They get nails done, get hair fixed up, wax their brows, buy dresses, rent tuxes, fix up cars... some may even rent a limo. They buy flowers and jewelry and makeup and on and on. This all adds up to equal the total amount that we apply as the financial commitment of our community on prom... on a dance... on one night that glorifies beauty. Is that ok?

How many mouths would that feed? How many homeless would that shelter? How much medicine would that buy? How much good could we do with that money? That is the question. Where are our values? Where are our priorities? So as I head to prom in 24 hours I will have a heavy heart. I am the coach of the beauty show... I am the head of the big dance. Am I using my talents for the right endeavors?