The Shawnee Dispatch / Students to parents: Alcohol unnecessary

Archive for Tuesday, February 26, 2008

February 26, 2008

Mill Valley High School students had a message Saturday for parents headed to an adults-only PTA auction that would sell alcohol.

"Adult behavior sets standards for youth," one sign read.

The auction was put on by the Prairie Ridge Elementary School PTA at the Shawnee Civic Centre and included a cash bar.

This marked the first time the annual fundraiser included alcohol and therefore excluded Prairie Ridge students from attending. Last year, the event raised $14,000. Saturday, the PTA raised $17,500.

Most of the students protesting were members of JagPRIDE, a student-led organization that addresses substance abuse in the community. Its name stands for "Pride in community, school, family and self."

Junior Erika Wheeler said she decided to protest because the event was sending the wrong message to children.

"I believe that parents have great influences on the choices children have later in life," she said. "This sends the message that the only way to have fun and they only way to attract adults is to have alcohol, and that's the wrong message to send."

Comments made on shawneedispatch.com, questioned why the PTA was criticized for serving alcohol at its auction when alcohol is served at Moe's Southwest Grill and at Pizza Shoppe, venues where there are PTA fundraiser nights.

Wheeler said there was a difference between the PTA auction and those fundraiser nights.

"It's a restaurant that serves alcohol any day of the week," she said. "They chose to have a cash bar here. You can't restrict people on what they drink when alcohol is available at a restaurant."

About 20 students protested Saturday and distributed fliers with facts about underage drinking along with a letter of support signed by the superintendent, school board president and JagPRIDE members.

The letter to district patrons, which Superintendent Sharon Zoellner wrote, informed parents that students and district administrators asked that the fundraiser be conducted without the presence of alcohol.

"It is our hope that we can create a community norm, demonstrating to our young people, that adults can have a good time without having alcohol present at a function," the letter said.

Zoellner was present at Saturday's protest, although she was not participating.

"I think part of growing up is learning how to share your concerns about an issue," she said. "I wanted to be here this evening to support these students and the positive manner in which they've shared their concerns over this issue."

Last week, officials said the district had no stance on the issue because the PTA is an outside organization.

However, school board president Janine Gracy said she did not approve of serving alcohol at school fundraisers and said she wanted to do research to see if the board could take any action to prevent future fundraisers that would serve alcohol.

"What's done is done," she said. "That function is over, but what we can do is look toward upcoming functions."

Gracy compared accepting money for schools from a PTA event where alcohol was served to accepting money for drug and alcohol prevention from tobacco or alcohol companies.

"I am just amazed at the attitude - that there are some community members who don't see that this is a problem at all," Gracy said.

Daryl Cafferty, whose fifth-grader attends Prairie Ridge, attended the auction Saturday. Cafferty said he didn't understand why serving alcohol sparked such a divide in the community.

"What's the difference between having it here and having it at Chili's or something like that," he questioned. "I don't think it's a big deal to have alcohol. If this was at the school, it would be a big deal having it with alcohol, but it's not at the school."

Some parents attended the fundraiser even though they disagreed with serving alcohol at a PTA event.

"If I had gone to the PTA meeting, I would have gone against it, but I still want to support the school," said Paul Miller, whose kindergartner attends Prairie Ridge. He and his wife, Andrea Miller, said they were impressed with the way the Mill Valley students expressed their opinions on the issue.

"We do not plan on drinking," Andrea Miller said.

Prairie Ridge media specialist Katy Konovalske said she didn't have an opinion on the alcohol issue, but she said she wanted to support the PTA.

"When my children were in elementary school, I was on the PTA and I know how hard these parents work to pull this together," she said.

Discussion

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27 February 2008
at 8:01 a.m.

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PREParent (Anonymous) says…

I am not the best wordsmith and cannot adequately describe my disappointment. It seems that the school board member, superintendent and the parents of JagPride students have missed the mark. The auction was not about a beer bash “PTA Gone Wild” as the protesters put it. It was about parents raising additional funds to support the education of their children. I could not believe that that group of people would actually encourage parents not to support their children because the event had a cash bar. This holier than thou attitude and negative attention has done nothing but aggravate the parents that are trying to support their kids education is nothing short of hypocritical. I attended the auction and was very proud of how the adults at the auction conducted themselves; I can't say the same about the protestors. It was stated they protested quietly, but unfortunately that's untrue. The initial taunting was uncalled for and upsetting. As Mr. Rolig stated I wish all of this energy could be directed at the school board and community and help us get a bond issue passed. The overcrowding and bussing kids past a community school needs to be corrected. Good work Prairie Ridge in supporting your children despite the protestors.
27 February 2008
at 11:28 a.m.

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precougars (Anonymous) says…

The Shawnee Dispatch points out a sign that was held by JagPRIDE on Saturday night. The sign read “Adult behavior sets standards for youth”. Where was the adult example for appropriate behavior when the students were shoving their “PTA Gone Wild” sign in face of a volunteer trying to enter the Civic Center? I know that the students were asked by their group leader to be respectful, friendly and hand out their literature. The Prairie Ridge auction committe went out of their way to be friendly and respectful of this student group by visiting with them, accepting their literature and even offering them hot chocolate and cookies. These students had the right to voice their opinion. They did not have the right to be rude and disrespectful to individuals who did nothing more than volunteer their time to help support their school and their child. Maybe these parents who encouraged the inappropriate behavior of their child and this jagPRIDE group should look in the mirror and ask themselves if they are setting the right standard.
29 February 2008
at 11:32 a.m.

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MVHSparent (Anonymous) says…

It is unbelievable that “precougars” would blatently lie about the behavior of JagPRIDE at the protest. No student ever blocked the door, or were disrespectful in any way, or shoved a sign in anyones face!!
It was the members of the Prarie Ridge P.T.A., who were rude, and taunted the kids. The District Superintendant as well as teachers and parents watched the entire time, as well as three TV news stations, and two newspaper reporters. The only negative press was given was to the “Adults” who could not behave themselves. It was well documented by the reporters.

The students were nothing but respectful the entire evening. You forgot to mention that an intoxicated adult approached the students to see if they could “auction off their sign and split the money with them” There were other adults yelling “We are 21 and we can do what we want!” and “shut up” and “get a life” to the kids. So who is setting the bad example?

Honestly, the fundraiser would have made just as much money, if not more, without alcohol sales, that is the point!! Can't you have the auction and then go party with your friends offsite afterward? Clear Creek Elementary is having their auction at their school, and inviting the kids…..what a concept! They are not having to pay the additional cost for renting a building, additional insurance, security guard, etc. All money spent on those things would have gone to the kids! Not to mention that more people would attended at the school because it is closer to home and parents wouldn't have to PAY for a babysitter. I am embarrassed for the Prarie Ridge P.T.A. at their lack of ethics.
There were so many people that spoke against this, from the National and State P.T.A., School Board, District Superintedant, and the Prarie Ridge principal, as well as JagPRIDE highschool students all told them this was not a good idea, and did not set a good example, yet they just didn't care! They continue to get bad press in the media, and they still don't care! Because they are singing the tune of the old 80's song “We have a right, to Party!” Seriously, grow up.
1 March 2008
at 1:35 p.m.

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shockednshawnee (Anonymous) says…

JagPride, your overall goal of stopping underage drinking is commendable. Your goal of suggesting adults, legal age, stop drinking in the form of abstinence is not your organizations mission or right. That steps over the boundaries and has intentions that are a choice. Yes this is America, land of the free, freedom of choice, not someone else's preferences being forced upon others. Unfortunately, you had your 15 minutes of fame; you were led down a path by sponsors who had ulterior motives. No parent was intoxicated that approached you, in fact he rarely drinks at all. A couple of comments for your organization: I suggest you start internally, as members of your organziation may be involved in “underaged” drinking. Start there. Second; get your facts straight, no money, repeat no money was used from school funds, taxes, or the PTA towards a cash bar. No money was derived for profit from the cash bar to be proceeds for the donation. The cash bar was on it's own. Cash bar means just that, it supports itself as people have a choice to either purchase a drink or not. No adult was intoxicated; everyone made appropriate arrangements for a designated driver. That is what responsible adults, legal age, do when we do have a drink. That is your lesson. When you are legal and can drink, remember those lessons. For now, I suggest focusing upon “underage” drinking and gaining the maturity and responsibility in life to do proper decisions, not try to intimidate and coerce others because they choose differently than your personal preferences in life. If that is your choice, great, we do not try to force you differently. Try respecting the same.

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