Dual proms a dilemma for Colusa students

Colusa High School’s junior-senior prom promises tuxedo, formal dresses and dancing during a night to celebrate the teenage years. But which prom?

That question had threatened to cleave the school’s annual bash into two competing bashes Saturday night.

But on Tuesday, students organizing the rival event called it off, hopeful their stand will force high school juniors – and faculty – to put more money into their send-off to adolescence.

“We made a good point because now, they should do things right,” said Eric Ulshafer, a Colusa High senior who was among the planners. “It should be a special event and (the school) should try their best to make it special for the seniors.”

Parents and school staff say the plans, announced last week, laid bare lingering discontent about the school’s suitability as host to its own premier social event.

“There’s a group of kids prejudging the existing prom without giving it a chance,” said Michael West, Colusa High’s athletic director and event organizer, before the alternate prom was canceled.

Over the years, junior and senior students have held the annual May bash at venues including golf clubs and the county fairgrounds.

Ulshafer said he and some schoolmates began discussing a second, off-campus prom two weeks ago – partly because they considered the grassy school quad unsuitable for dancing, and also because of worries the junior class was not spending enough money to run the event. The rival prom would have taken place at Colusa Tennis & Swim Club, owned by Ulshafer’s mother, Gayle Lee Ulshafer.

Students announced the event through online bulletins on MySpace.com. But placing the rival event head-to-head with the school’s own celebration rankled West, who has worked at Colusa High for 18 years.

“I tried to explain that it’s fine if they want to get together on their own, but making it in opposition to the sanctioned prom is inappropriate and I’m disappointed,” he said.

Phone messages Monday from the school telling parents about the alternative prom – and denying any school connection - undid its rival, according to students and parents. Eric Ulshafer said most of the couples who committed to his event backed out after the school announcement.

The split would have driven a wedge between schoolmates who otherwise could celebrate their high school years together, according to Kimi Kagehiro, whose daughter is a Colusa High junior.

“I think they’re torn, trying to decide whether they should go this prom or the other one where their friends would be at,” she said.