Once upon a time in America, prom dresses were like this one, big and modest, worn here by Judy Farmer, prom queen in the early 60's at Ferguson High School near St. Louis. Submitted
You probably won't see a prom dress like this one at any local proms around here this year. Collier high schools are working to keep the couture more cool than hot. Submitted
MARCO ISLAND — The principal of Naples High School, Dr. Nancy Graham, said that, when we asked what our kids are wearing to high school proms in Collier County these days.
“The kids are doing a really good job this year,” Dr. Graham says. “We are a little more lenient (at proms) than the regular school dress code, which does not let them come with shoulders uncovered.”
Dr. Graham and the Junior Sponsor at Naples High, Karin Stewart, are making a major effort to discourage unwelcome surprises in what the students wear on the big night. The students themselves made a video shown in school with the rules and regulations. So what if they show up having ignored the dress code?
“They get sent home,” Dr. Graham says. “I think that in my career, and I’ve been a principal for 17 years, I probably may have sent three or four children home in that time period. They know.”
What about the boys? How might they push the dress code envelope?
“Some will wear the coat and tie but will put on tennis shoes just to be annoying.
And honestly, I tell the girls not to even waste money on expensive shoes, because within about 15 minutes of the dance starting, they take their shoes off. Because if their shoes are too high and too tight they’re not comfortable.’
Another development in recent years here is a concerted effort to help kids of limited means to feel good about their attire at school proms around the county.
“There are organizations and businesses that want to help on that,” Dr. Graham says. “We’re working to tap into those possibilities and we will be sure that any kid who wants to go to the prom has what they need to go.”
The principal and junior sponsor found they were able to get help from the community by just asking them. Mrs. Stewart gave a few examples:
n Udene’s Bridal in Naples: “Does prom dress rentals and tux rentals.”
n Naples Transportation: “Helping us out with transportation.”
n Men’s Wearhouse: “They’ve been a huge help in getting rental tuxes for kids who might not be able to afford it, all the way down to shoe and a hat.”
n TK Nails: “The salon offers free nail service for kids who need help.”
n Naples Flower Pot: “Providing a corsage and boutonnière for a couple.”
n Oasis Salon and Spa: “They’re offering free hair styles and makeup the day of.”
We asked whether there have been any major trends in prom stuff in recent years.
The women say that schools including dinner in the prom experience began to grow in popularity in the mid-90s.
“What that does is, it levels the playing field,” Dr. Graham says. “And in the past 10 years or so some schools stopped requiring a tux. Don’t forget, we’re dealing with a very different economic group now.”
For more on the prom phenomenon in Collier County, we invite you to see The Farmer File column in today’s (Friday, April 13) Naples Daily News, including the do’s and don’ts of necklines, hemlines and what one school is doing about cleavage.
Free glucose screenings at Marco’s big Publix
The “big” Publix store at Shops of Marco is offering free glucose screenings next Friday, April 20.
Store Manager Kevin Donlan says you can stop in between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., submit to the quick test administered by a lab technician and get the results within about five minutes.
Publix is partnering with the CholestCheck firm to offer the free glucose tests and others that are done for fees ranging from $10 to $160.
Some examples are cholesterol tests, body fat analysis, blood pressure, pulse, thyroid and liver. No prescriptions are necessary.
The glucose screening is available to anyone over age two, but minors under 18 must have a parent’s or guardian’s consent.
Chris Curle is a former news anchor for CNN and for ABC-TV stations in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Houston. E-mail chris@chriscurle.com. Don is a former ABC News correspondent and bureau chief and a former news anchor for CNN and ABC-TV, in Atlanta. His Farmer File column appears Fridays in the Naples Daily News. E-mail: don@donfarmer.com.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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