April 19th, 2007 By Justin Williams
Female? Wearing a Tux? No Prom for You!
I graduated from Evansville Day School and attended three proms there. Even though I lived in Newburgh, I never attended Castle High School: the junior high was enough for me. One of the reasons I went to Day School was their acceptance and understanding of more diverse and unique personalities, thoughts and ideas. It’s good to see that things have changed so much in the six years since I graduated from high school.
Castle High School Junior Jasmine Jung had her prom on Saturday night: a festive gala at The Centre downtown. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to stay long because she was informed that her attire was inappropriate for the dance. “I was wearing a tuxedo. I really don’t wear dresses that much. There was no announcement saying I couldn’t,” she said.
Unfortunately, Castle principle Phillip Delong states that dress policy prohibits cross-dressing. When ABC25 sought out the Castle dress code, they couldnt find any mention of that code in the book. A specific mention of men and women dressing like the opposite sex is not listed. The only thing on edge that appeared would be regulations banning clothing that interferes with normal school functions. I really don’t see how wearing a standard tuxedo interferes with a school function that is filled with hundreds of other tuxedos.
I asked Jasmine if there were any real dress code violations by the girls at the prom who wore dresses and she told me there were several low cut dresses that were allowed in the doors. She plans to appear before the Warrick County School Board in two weeks to discuss her incident. We’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date.
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As a graduate of Castle High School, I can tell you that Mr. DeLong is an extremely unpopular figure with students…and for good reason. In all my years of education (18 for those of you counting at home) I have never met a worse administrator. It seems that he gets a thrill out of picking on students that he never took the time to get to know. He rarely knows students names and fails to connect with teachers and parents. The cafeteria at CHS used to be painted in lovely student-done murals. Now? The walls are bare and white, resembling a prison or hospital. Mr. DeLong enjoys threatening students with suspension and expulsion – I don’t think the man has a caring or sensitive bone in his body. I’m sorry that Jasmine had to experience his wrath, but I hope she fights hard when she meets with the school board. It is time that the students get a voice! I can only hope that those in charge will listen and consider making what would be a very positive change for Warrick county by heavily reprimanding Phil DeLong for the miserable job he has done.
I feel very sorry for a student to have to go through something like this. It’s ridiculous and completely uncalled for. I remember my proms being full of fun memories and times I will never forget. It’s a shame that this girl will have to look back and say that she had to fight for her right to wear her choice of clothing to her prom, because of a ignorant, scatologic, piece of crap, administrator that says is not allowed.
It’s no wonder that students rebel, and cause trouble when they have some one in charge like him.
I hope she continues to fight, and I would wear that tuxedo every freaking day to school for the rest of the year.
As a 06 grad of CHS i was one of the unlucky people who never seemed to always on DeLong good side. I had the unpleasant affliction of having this person as my principal for my remaining two years of high school. And since i was never a member of the special Athletic groups i.e. Basketball, Football, or even Track the man does like you. He only cares about people who wear that C on there chest. I do feel for this girl who i never had the pleasure of meeting while i was there but i feel that she and her family should do everything in her power to have this man removed from office.
I–as well as my brother, Taylor, who graduated from EDS just last year–currently attend Evansville Day School, and as far as I’ve experienced it in my five years, what has left the most significant impression on me is the general tolerance they strive so hard to spread throughout the faculty, staff, and student body. The teachers who’ve taught there for decades have worked so dilligently to ingrain basic moral values, especially treating others as you would like to be treated and accepting them for who they are, regardless of nationality, race, or creed. I’d really like to see this attitude in “situations”–or so certain individuals make them–such as these.
Please e-mail me if there is any new information about Jasmine’s appearance before the school board!