An Innocent Party?

The parties of the first part--senior class leaders at Simi Valley High School--are at odds with the party of the second part--their principal.

At issue is the meaning of the word “party.”

The students would like to adopt as their prom theme the phrase “Party Like It’s 1999,” from the early ‘80s hit song “1999” by the artist known way back then as Prince (a song, we confidently predict, of which the world is going to be profoundly sick by the time Dec. 31 rolls around).

Rather than reject this theme on the basis of its faulty grammar, a position we could heartily endorse, Principal Dennis Rast vetoed it because these days the word “party” often connotes drinking and drug use.

“Every kid who came in here honestly thinks ‘party’ is celebration,” Rast said. “You know and I know it has another meaning.”

In the spirit of the Boston Tea Party, students are seeking to redress their grievance. While they have not sought support from the Republican Party (or even the Democrats), they are party to a lobbying campaign that includes a petition and letters from parents.

The students should make no mistake about one thing: The principal is the boss and his final decision must be respected. But Principal Rast has indicated that he is open to persuasion, if the students’ negotiating party can make a good case.

The students would be wise to proceed not with the hostility of a war party but in the unifying spirit of a bridal party (or, in horse-happy Simi, a bridle party). The principal has a legitimate point: Even the most sincere student must concede that Prince probably didn’t have tea and crumpets in mind when he wrote that irresistible dance tune.

To turn their principal into a Prince fan, the best approach might be to acknowledge that prom night does indeed bring the temptation for some students to leave their good sense behind and make decisions they will regret. A little extra push, such as a song that--oh, admit it--preaches cutting loose as if there were no tomorrow, might reinforce this phenomenon.

The challenge facing the students is to recognize that Principal Rast isn’t trying to be a party pooper, he just wants to keep the festivities legal, healthy and safe. They should demonstrate that they want the same thing, and suggest some ways students can reinforce each other’s good judgment and help each other to achieve this goal

Then perhaps he’ll go along with the idea of partying as if it were 1999.