In praise of yobs

[Bunnylump]

Today, I've been being shown all the pictures from the year 11 prom which was on Friday. All of the girls (apart from one) were dressed up to the nines - spray tans, ball gowns, sparkly bags, false eyelashes the lot. The one who wasn't dressed like this was one of "our" pupils (I'm calling her Jane for the purposes of this forum) who is on the autistic spectrum. Jane has very poor social skills, doesn't speak to the other pupils, does strange things like cutting chunks out of her hair, and insists on wearing black ankle socks. But she has always enjoyed watching the other pupils interacting, and smiles wistfully as she watches them with their friends. Jane was dressed in a pink woolly jacket, a pink dress and sparkly ballet pumps (the sort of thing you might expect an 8 year old to wear.)

One of the other pupils I've worked with for the past 5 years (I'll call him H) is what some people might describe as a "yob". Frequently being sent out of lessons for talking, being disruptive, swearing, often in fights and minor skirmishes with the law. He is very tall, very good looking and highly respected as being "Mr Cool." However, I have always had a real soft spot for him, because I can see that underneath all that bravado is a really lovely boy.

And all I can say is WOW how he proved that at the prom. Apparently all the kids were up and dancing and having a great time,
and as usual, H was surrounded by all the adoring girls. But then he noticed that Jane was sat at the side, not speaking to anyone, not being involved. So he got her up, danced with her (showed her HOW to dance so she didn't look so dorky), involved her with all the others, encouraged her to join in with the singing and all the fun, all evening. Apparently, he said to one of my colleagues "Well, I couldn't have Jane left out. She's one of our year, and deserves to have some fun."

So, there is hope for humanity, after all. What a lovely boy.

[chazzie]

That brought a tear to my eye.... What a lovely lad

[LAT]

That brought a tear to my eye..

Mine too! What a lovely boy.
There is definitely hope for humanity with kids like him around.
I hope his parents got to hear what a gent he was too.

[Bunnylump]

I was just struck by how kids get labelled sometimes. Yes, he has had his moments of being a nightmare, and has probably irritated teachers and local residents to some extent with some of his more outrageous horseplay. But he DOES care about people, and, to his credit, will always accept whatever punishment he is dished out and will admit when he is in the wrong or has been an a*se. And I think with a caring and thoughtful attitude like that lurking not so far below the surface, he will eventually sort himself out and become a really worthwhile member of the community. I was so proud of him, and seeing the photos of Jane, beaming all over her face with pleasure, actually choked me up.

[strep98]

My daughter has finally given in and said she will go to her prom after years of saying she will never go. Now she is worried about what the "populars" will say. AS she never wears a dress (except her school skirt, just above her knee and ankle sock, winter and summer). So her friends are going to pull out the stops and we are off to a pamper evening tonight to get some tips.

I have finally got a girl, Yeah!

[Bunnylump]

The thought of a "prom" (don't you just hate that phrase? In my book it's a ball )is my absolute all time idea of hell. I've never in my life worn a fancy long dress and I'm not about to start now. Quite a few of the year 11s asked me if I would go, but I declined because they wouldn't have liked me turning up in my jeans... You see all these kids plastered in make up, going in limousines (again, YUK - I think they are ostentatious and ugly) to their SCHOOL. What's that all about?? It must put pressure on parents who can't afford to spend £300 on dresses, bags, shoes, nails etc. to spend money that they don't have.

[MBH]

Another American import for some to look down on others and for parents to be put under pressure We had a Christsmas Disco and were glad of it. [They were hell for me, never mind the current version).




{Please ignore the shy and inhibited grump in the corner - LOL}

[LAT]

£300!

No limousines for either of mine. For those of you who know where my house is you can understand why the idea is rather funny. I can just see it getting stuck in the mud turning the corner.
In fact I can't imagine one managing to turn the corner.

Hope your daughter has a lovely time though Strep. And that her friends do her proud in helping her get ready.

[giraffe]

They aren't held at school round here, they go to a hotel. K's dress (A long ball gown type) cost £40 from TK MAxx and she looked lovely she said some of the others had spent a couple of hundred, but it certainly isn't necessary to spend that much. F is trying to find out if he needs a dinner jacket, or whether they are just wearing suits. He will need suits for school from September, so I hope that is the answer!

[Bunnylump]

Yes, I do hope she has a lovely time though, Strep.

Dibble went to his prom in a double decker bus. He wore a dinner jacket, green embroidered waistcoat, and matching green ribbons on his CRUTCHES, which of course completed the outfit perfectly.

[gill216]

Hope she enjoys it Strep. The first time my daughter wore evening dress (aged about 32) she said she'd have felt more comfortable dressed up as mickey mouse The dress has been sitting in my wardrobe ever since because she never wants to see it again.

It is going to find a new home this year. My hairdresser in Withernsea started fundraising for he eldest daughters prom several years ago and has continued to do so every year. She sells raffle tickets all year round for free hair do's etc and all the money raised goes towards transport for the whole yearconcerned. She has a night of grooming lessons for girls and boys and asked anyone who was lucky enough to have their own dress sitting in a wardrobe gathering dust from prevous years to bring them along and she'd hire them out at £5 per night. Thats an inspired idea in my book. She's fortunate enough to have a large group of contacts via her business but she's not wealthy. It was the only way she could afford to do this for her own daughter and decided that she'd do it for everyone else as well. The photo's on display in her salon show her efforts are worthwhile. Beaming faces all round.

[giraffe]

What a great idea Gill. I had heard of a lady round here that sells prom dresses, I think they are end of line / seconds etc, and are sold quite cheaply. Another benefit is that they are all different, so you are less likely to turn up in the same dress as someone else. If I hadn't found anything in TKMaxx I was going to try her next.