Kansas school apologizes to Airman in prom dispute

[WoodysGirl]

By ROXANA HEGEMAN | Associated Press – 2 hrs 4 mins ago

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas high school principal who barred a member of the Air Force from escorting his sister to prom has apologized to him in an attempt to quell a firestorm that's been fueled by a YouTube video of the debacle and the girl's heartfelt letter to the newspaper.

A policy change allowing exceptions to the age limitation will be presented at Monday's upcoming school board meeting, Deputy Superintendent Paul Larkin said Tuesday. Current policy in the district located in the southwest Kansas community of Liberal prohibits anyone 21 years old or older from participating in prom activities.

The video that went viral showed Liberal High School junior Courtney Widener arriving at the April 20 prom with her 22-year-old brother, Senior Airman Casey Widener. He stopped and stood at attention at the foot of the red carpet while Courtney and another girl continued unescorted across the promenade. As she went inside, Casey crisply saluted her before turning and leaving amid applause from onlookers.

"There were hurt feelings on both sides, you know," Larkin said in a phone interview. "I think the best thing is when we came together. I don't think this family had any intention of shedding any negative light on the district whatsoever and by all means we had no intention of dishonoring their son."

Read the rest: http://news.yahoo.com/kansas-school-apologies-airman-prom-dispute-204148799.html

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A little bit of common sense goes a long way...

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I know there are rules in place to protect other students and to insure that the students themselves are not faced with situations where they have to worry about outsiders coming in and taking over their own Prom's etc.

Just seems like at some point, common sense should kick in but I guess folks are so afraid of legal actions and what could happen that it just doesn't. It's a shame really.

 

[Reality]

Just seems like at some point, common sense should kick in but I guess folks are so afraid of legal actions and what could happen that it just doesn't. It's a shame really.

And that is exactly their fear. All it takes is one exception to open the door to future litigation that will be much harder to defend because of it. In this case, you are right, common sense should have said this was not a problem.

It is sad we have to live like this, but our legal litigation system encourages it with large payouts on victories and decent payouts on pre-trial settlements with very little downside or risks beyond the time spent by lawyers.

/reality

 

[WV Cowboy]

Sadly, the school has to look out for their own best interest.

If some anit-government, anit-military, anti-war punk confronts the 22 yr old Air Force Sr. Airman, and there is any type of confrontation/scuffle, the school could be in trouble.

What a sad state our country finds itself in.

 

[burmafrd]

Shakespear had it right 300 years ago

"FIRST KILL ALL THE LAWYERS!"

 

[Denim Chicken]

They should just make an exception for family. That way a Dad, Mom, sibling could escort their kid and they don't have to worry about creepy, old strangers crashing the prom. The fact that the guy was in the service is irrelevant.

 

[Future]

They should just make an exception for family. That way a Dad, Mom, sibling could escort their kid and they don't have to worry about creepy, old strangers crashing the prom. The fact that the guy was in the service is irrelevant.

I think a dad escorting his daughter to the prom and just sitting back and watching the whole thing could be pretty darn creepy.

 

[Denim Chicken]

I think a dad escorting his daughter to the prom and just sitting back and watching the whole thing could be pretty darn creepy.

lol, that's what I plan on doing if I ever have a girl.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

In reading the article, the young women and family understood that the Airman could not enter the event itself. The young women simply wanted the Airman to escort her down the carpet to the door. The Principle said no. Sorry state of events indeed.

It said that the Airman was a former student there. I wonder if there was history between the Principle and the Airman?

 

[big dog cowboy]

Thanks WG.

Secretly hoping this wouldn't make it in here.

As you can imagine the coverage that is getting is over the top.

I have fam out there including the former Mayor. When we get a chance to talk again he will hear about this.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I think a dad escorting his daughter to the prom and just sitting back and watching the whole thing could be pretty darn creepy.

Well, when I was in HS, if you were part of the homecoming court, Parents did escort their kids in the HS Assembly and at the HS Homecoming Game. You still have Parents, in some small communities that volunteer to chaperone HS events, such as dances etc. I mean, that still happens even today. I don't know that it's all that weird.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I feel more sorry for the girl who had to have her brother be her escort.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I feel more sorry for the girl who had to have her brother be her escort.

I did not see anything in any report or in the article that said she HAD to have her Brother escort her.

I assume you were trying to make some sort of joke?

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I did not see anything in any report or in the article that said she HAD to have her Brother escort her.

I assume you were trying to make some sort of joke?

why else would she go with her brother if she had a better option?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

why else would she go with her brother if she had a better option?

I would think that would be obvious but apparently, I was mistaken.

Again, the plan was never for her Brother to take her to Prom. The plan was for her Brother a U.S. Airforce Airman to escort her up the red carpet, to the door of the facility where the Prom was being held. This would suggest to me that she probably never intended to have her Brother actually take her to Prom. She is probably proud of her Brother and wanted him to escort her to the door.

Again, nowhere does it suggest that she didn't have anybody to take her to Prom, except her Brother.

 

[Reality]

why else would she go with her brother if she had a better option?

There are many reasons why siblings ask other siblings to escort them to prom. Without knowing the reasons why I think it is very naive and narrow-minded to make assumptions. Maybe her boyfriend broke up with her recently. Maybe she's gay and her dating pool was limited. Maybe it was due to her religion limiting her relationships. Maybe her brother missed his senior prom due to an illness or injury. Maybe she respects her brother and had no date.

There are many reasons why she could have asked him to escort her. It's "her" prom which is a very special memory for a lot of girls her age and I see no reason to insult or judge her for it. It is not like it affected anyone else.

/reality

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

I would think that would be obvious but apparently, I was mistaken.

Again, the plan was never for her Brother to take her to Prom. The plan was for her Brother a U.S. Airforce Airman to escort her up the red carpet, to the door of the facility where the Prom was being held. This would suggest to me that she probably never intended to have her Brother actually take her to Prom. She is probably proud of her Brother and wanted him to escort her to the door.

Again, nowhere does it suggest that she didn't have anybody to take her to Prom, except her Brother.

what colour is the sky in your world?

 

[zrinkill]

I would think that would be obvious but apparently, I was mistaken.

Again, the plan was never for her Brother to take her to Prom. The plan was for her Brother a U.S. Airforce Airman to escort her up the red carpet, to the door of the facility where the Prom was being held. This would suggest to me that she probably never intended to have her Brother actually take her to Prom. She is probably proud of her Brother and wanted him to escort her to the door.

Again, nowhere does it suggest that she didn't have anybody to take her to Prom, except her Brother.

This ...... but someone who hates the US military is just taking shots in the only way he can.

 

[burmafrd]

This ...... but someone who hates the US military is just taking shots in the only way he can.

right. Its Canadian. That is his shtick.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

what colour is the sky in your world?

Apparently it is not a color you are accustomed to. It may surprise you but that actually gives me a certain amount of relief. Whatever color it is, it's not a color you share and that's OK with me.