About 300 high school juniors and seniors from 11 North Texas school districts gathered Saturday at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Educational Center to promise themselves, each other and their parents, they will not do anything illegal or stupid on prom night when it comes to alcohol and drugs.
And the reward for pledging to do what's right is getting to borrow for free a tuxedo or prom dress for their big night. Parents who attended the event love the idea of teens taking a stand for what's right, what's legal and what's safe.
"I hope to let my friends know that narcotics abuse and alcohol abuse is bad and it can be very detrimental in the long run and you don't need that to have a good time,” said Asha Beachman, a Hampton Prep High Junior who will be attending two proms. “Also, I know adults who have battled with that their whole lives and it's very detrimental and they can never reach their full potential or be successful like that."
"I feel a lot of children rebel and feel, ‘I can do it anyway,’ and that's why they do it but just listen to the law, listen to your parents, do what's right," said Mackenzie Williams, a senior at Seagoville High School.
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"For her to take this step takes a lot of pressure off me to know that she's going to go out and have fun and not indulge or participate in that," said Debra Bea, referring to her daughter.
There will always be pressure from classmates who say you have to drink to have fun. These kids have a simple response. “No you don't and we won't.”
The end of the BuzzFree Pledge states, “I want to have a spectacular prom, a safe prom. I promise to stay sober, free of alcohol and other drugs.”
Students participated in group discussions on the topic of staying away from illegal activity and encouraging their peers to do the same. Parents also took part in workshops on how to talk to their children about the subject.
