A Tale of Two Symphony Balls
Humor me for a moment as I put on my gossip columnist hat and entertain a little rumor. It’s not often that I get a phone call where someone dishes out dirt — that’s the kind of stuff I generally have to dig up myself.
Most commonly, phone calls and emails come flooding in about games won, galas well danced, and other joyous occasions. But yesterday, I got a call about the Junior Symphony Ball that included such memorable and visceral descriptions as “walking through vomit in cowboy boots,” “drunk fest,” and “complete orgy.” The caller, whose daughter attended the Jan. 28 ball, said chaperones turn a blind eye to alcohol and drug use, and that the event has been declining in decorum for years.
This all falls in stark contrast to the JSB that Michelle Duncan, co-chair of the event, attended.
“The things she’s attesting to are really not correct,” Duncan said.
Duncan (and plenty of people whose glowing emails she forwarded to me) considers the ball a grand success. Sure, there was a bloody nose here and there, at least one kid bent over a trashcan, and another mouthy one cuffed by police, but Duncan isn’t losing any sleep over it.
“It’s like going to a concert,” she said. “Unfortunate things happen. You can only control it so much.”
The ball drew more than 2,000 students and had around 200 parent chaperones. With all those hormones packed into the Palladium, something is bound to go down. But Duncan maintains it was far from “a complete orgy.”
“I did see one little couple kissing in the ballroom,” she said. “But it wasn’t a deep, heavy, intense thing. It was kind of like, ‘Oh, that’s sweet.’ ”
Duncan, who said this was the first official complaint in the JSB’s 53-year history, diplomatically offered to refund the caller’s ticket price.
“Nobody turned a blind eye,” she said. “Now with that many kids, could we have missed some stuff? Of course, but we tried our best.”
Did your kids go to the JSB? Do you agree with anonymous caller No. 1 or Duncan?
Comments are on, for now …
My daughter reported seeing a varsity soccer player “resting” face down on the restroom floor.
Many, many of the students at JSB were drinking before they got there. They came, in some cases, by the “party” bus load, already lit. Facebook is full of the pictures and colorful descriptions.
A number of students were able to get past the security checks at the door, and brought alcohol to the event. Shameful.
I think Ms. Duncan needs to jump on Facebook.
Not sure decorum has ever been the number one issue for JSB. Lost my virginity on JSB night in January 1984. (To a Hockaday girl, who I’m pretty sure did not lose hers that night.) Enhanced the heck out of my appreciation for the symphony, yessiree bob.
Just say no. Spend the $75 + clothing costs + hair costs + all the rest, on symphony tickets and really help the DSO out. They are in financial trouble.
I am not a fan of JSB. Dangerous. Bad things happen. Too many kids.
Wow. Ms. Duncan sure has her head in the sand. Can you say “denial”?
You parents are completely oblivious, people were not drunk, they were smoking crack-cocaine in the bathroom. But the complete orgy part is correct. I was a chaparone for my African American child from Woodrow Wilson
You can only blame the kids, there are so many ways to sneak alcohol into this events. Do you want parents groping your kids checking them for flasks? Even if they do that people still find ways to bring it in, the creation of pocket shots in plastic bags that can be put around everywhere, this happens at every event. You can not blame Mrs. Duncan she tried so hard for this event and did a fantastic job and it was one of the most successful Junior symphony balls ever.
Wow! Dallas “society” has really proven itself classy and stylish yet again. I am forced to attend the DSO next weekend for my sister’s debut. What a joke! Why don’t the HP and UP moms spend money on something that’s meaningful? This I will never understand.
Unlike the rest of you who are commenting on this piece. I am a highschooler who actually attended. Before you go bashing Mrs. Duncan and saying that she is in “denial” why don’t you try planning the event, and then you can post your sassy comments.
I would make bets that the kids drinking before the dance, were your own children, and you are just to caught up in their GPA and ensuring their place as a Texas Longhorn to notice that they are stealing from your liquor cabinets.
All these parents probably have their head up their ass while their own kid is coming to the dance drunk. There were 200 chaperones at the dance. How is it Mrs. Dunkans fault that kids brink liquor in. She did a great job setting up this party. If you are a parent complaining about kidss bringing in alcohol, why dont you stop being such a lazy peice of s*** and get your ass up at the next jsb and try to catch every person bringing in alcohol. You wont be able to. stop being such an ignorant dumb s*** and worry about your own kids. 🙂
Why don’t they hire off=duty police to work the event?
HMD: There is something wrong with you. Your comments are totally inappropriate and way too emotional for this subject matter. No doubt this is a difficult project to undertake and I am sure Mrs Duncan did a great job. But none the less, JSB is well known for underage drinking/drugs etc. I don’t think it’s safe. And if an event is unable to control the drinking or drugs of its attendees then perhaps this event should not take place.
My “sassy” comment had nothing to do with Ms. Duncan’s culpability or ability in stemming the flow of alchohol into the event, or kids drinking before the event. I get that. But it’s a long stretch from “sweet” kisses on the dancefloor to an orgy (both of which are not true). Or from a few drunk kids to what everyone here freely admits, many drunk kids, this year and it seems like all other years as well. If this event routinely entails many underage kids drinking, then they shouldn’t hold the event. Period. Plenty of other ways to raise money. And I am not surprised that many high school kids are defending this, who doesn’t want a good party?
And I am very comfortable that my 1st grader and pre-k weren’t drunk that evening, or any other evening.
I have some questions for Ms. Duncan, and for, the comments that are just emotional enough to be her child/ren and friends.
Do you really think questioning rampant alcohol use at JSB, which let’s be honest, is a fact is an “attack” on you?
It’s not. If the JSB is going to continue, no one can “turn a blind eye.” The event is out of control.
Do we sound like parents who “have our heads up our ass”? (Nice, btw, stay classy Duncan clan.)
You have no idea who we are. We could be DSO board members, DSO patrons, or current/former chaperones, but we are parents who are in the loop. The facts are that kids were drinking to the point of passing out and vomiting at JSB. That’s a problem. It’s a problem for you, Ms. Duncan because it happened on YOUR watch, and it’s a problem for the DSO.
Given the reputation of this event, why in the world would parents let their children attend?
People drink before, people drinking there is very rare, y’all are poorly misinformed, so it’s not the mothers fault who is in charge
@blessyourlittlehearts you are a troll, you have nothing better to do than bash some one who put countless hours into this? why don’t you go try and make some friends or find a hobby. This is the Problem with some HP parents y’all having nothing better to do but blog and gossip about highschool kids and parents on blogs. sorry you did nothing with your life in highschool but i have been to 3 Junior symphony Balls(sober) yes there are drunk kids but same with the High School football games, why don’t yall bash the administration for that? I see people drunk at all of those social events so why aren’t yall bashing them? I saw no drug use and its pretty hard to catch kids, you are very naive if you think these thinks don’t happen at every event.
If you think it’s so unsafe and detrimental to our youth, then don’t let your kids go. JSB is not the only dance which some kids show up to drunk/bring alcohol to. There are countless parties and weekend get-togethers which are the same deal. The difference is only the scale of the party to which the number of drunk partygoers is directly correlated. Also, hyperbolizing the dance as an “orgy” or a “drunk-fest” helps no one and, in fact, causes unnecessary controversy as by no means was everyone drunk and certainly not everyone participated in these phantom orgies. I saw a few couples making out, but since when is that an orgy? Maybe JSB should realign itself as the Junior Symphony Bacchanalia. It’d probably be more fun anyways. Furthermore, there were a small number of Dallas police officers in attendance and 200 chaperones to catch those out of control and/or causing problems. I personally attended the dance and had a great time. I was drunk as were most of my friends, but caused no problem. I’m 18 years old and according to law, “underage” to drink, but if I’m causing no harm why should it bother you? (and on another note: remember that my friends and i are of age to take a bullet for you and our nation, choose as constituents our governmental representatives, have sex with a 50 year old (ew), and voluntarily give ourselves cancer with tobacco amongst many other priveleges, but not drink a beer?) So, instead of taking an idealistic and completely unrealistic stance on underage drinking, how about you educate your children (not choke them) on the effects and risks of alcohol consumption and perhaps allow them to legally test their limit in your direct presence with the understanding that should they choose to drink there will be consequences, but that death or sickness is not worth parental ignorance. Further furthermore, with overzealous parents who track their kids and breathalyze them and whatever other crazy things some parents do, remember this: your kids will likely go to college, you will HOPEFULLY not be there, and your kid is going to go ape shit. The kids I’ve known of who go the craziest, turn the sluttiest, and get kicked out or drop out of college come from the strictest parents without fail. And to you, Mrs. Duncan, I would like to say thank you to you and Allie for your countless hours of hard work and planning to make the party a tremendous success. Any questions?
Wow, I’m glad to see that JSB is just as exciting now as is was in 1987!
Thank you Voice of Reason. Well stated.
Voice of Reason: A question. Did you drive to JSB? Did most of your other friends who were drunk drive to JSB? Or did you have a limo take you?
A thought. Perhaps when you are a parent you will understand the concerns voiced about this event. You may well be old enough to smoke, vote and join the military but you are not a parent. Believe me, it changes everything.
And BTW, I often didn’t let my kids go to JSB.
I went way too ham at this party
There were virginitys and bodily fluids left all over the bathroom floor
@ Voice of “Reason” thanks for confirming the caller’s concerns. FYI, some of us don’t restrict our kids, we’re just shocked that your parents let you drive drunk, be drunk in public, etc. Thanks for the gub’ment lesson, kiddo. Good luck with all of that.
My son’s comment on this , a couple of years past his years of going to the JSB are: the kids that normally drink, drank. The kids that normally do not drink, did not drink. The kids that normally get stoned were stoned, the kids that normally don’t get stoned weren’t. Just like at all the school sponsored partys and proms and balls, those that do, did. Those that don’t, didn’t. Pay close attention to your kids, you should know where your kid falls. They either hang with the imbibers or they don’t. If they do – they are partipating, count on it.
Damn, I’m glad @Another Mother isn’t my mom.
The troubling thing is this seems to match the descriptions I’ve gotten of the Freshman Homecoming dance this year. Although I haven’t read the words “mosh pit” here. And the word “crack” wasn’t used by the freshmen I talked to.
I saw a chump get puked on. It was quite entertaining.
@Nate Higgers…we’re just glad you aren’t our son.
Nate: If you actually knew me you might have a completely different opinion.
And “complete orgy” wasn’t mentioned either. But that is what a mosh pit is…right?
An 18 year old voice of reason? There’s an oxymoron. Glad you’ve got it all figured out kid. Funny thing though, I went to high school, and college, and 10 years of partying after college before getting married and settling down, so maybe, JUST maybe, I and other parents know something that you don’t.
@ Nate Higgers,
I’m sure she’s glad you’re not her son. Classy screen name, I’m sure your racist parents are quite proud of you.
@XT- Ms. Duncan’s supporters are obviously more enlightened than the rest of us.
I threw up on a subwoofer it was really fun thanks for organizing the event it’s highschool take it easy you guys I throw up alot.
yah ima bak my brother archibald, there was none alcohol only strait crack cocaine n a bunch of orgies bumpin in dat place. dem cops dere were so dumb, I mean dumb man. I don’t kno who dis Duncan chick is but she dint do nuthin. you parents just needa sit back, take a hit, n relax.
@blessyourlittlehearts you probably think you are the worlds greatest parent. Congrats. I also want to congratulate you on how much class you have and stooping down to @nate higgers. You should be embarrassed with your self and your kids should be embarrassed to have a mom that lashes out on high schoolers on the internet. I am not for either side but can you find something better to do with your life then troll around on the internet?
I love it when people take what they hear and blow it way out of proportion
highschool- you aren’t cool unless you drink at least 4 times a week.
If the problem here is high school kids drinking or doing drugs, the they shouldn’t be let out of the house. Do you think that if they weren’t at JSB then they wouldn’t be drinking that night? Incorrect. Teens are the most resourceful people. If they want something, like alcohol, then they will acquire it. Extremely easily. Let me restate that. Extremely easily. Stop worrying about it or do something about it. Complaining and placing blame is absurd.
XT: And what, may I ask, is that? I never said I had “it all figured out”. I don’t know a lot of things, but this happens to be my current area of expertise as I’m still living this area of parenting and I have been, as well as watching other kids live it, for quite some time now.
Another Mother: No ma’am my friends and I did not drive to JSB. That’s a completely different issue on which I’d be willing to bet we all share the same beliefs. Drinking is completely different from drinking and driving.
BlessYourLittleHearts: There’s no reason to be a condescending asshole here and especially no reason to belittle my parents. First off, they would NEVER let me drive drunk as my father’s brother, his sister’s boyfriend, and one of his best friends were killed by a drunk driver. Secondly, they don’t let me be drunk or drink outside of their supervision and, in fact, implemented such stiff penalty as no phone/tv/friends for 9 weeks amongst other things. The point, which you clearly missed, is in the knowing of limits. What gets kids into trouble, leaves soccer captains face down in the bathroom, and even causes deaths is the inability to tell when enough is enough. The difference between my parents and imbeciles like you is that they maintain a realistic view and did just as I previously described (the content of which was clearly too complicated for you). When I entered high school, my parents were fully aware of the dangers and realities of sex, drugs, and alcohol and their prevalence in our community so they basically gave me a crash course. I went to my dads hometown and saw the street people addicted to drugs and met some of his friends who ruined their lives with drugs. I drank with him, drank way too much, and threw up (which sucked enough that I haven’t done it since), and gave me your typical sex talk. That’s not a government lesson by the way dick.
So, “Reason”- You were drunk with your friends, but with informed consent from your wise parents? Um. Ok.
Your parents don’t let you drink outside of their supervision because you/they are so smart and the Reason family has previously lived through tragic circumstance by your own admission, pretty horrible? From your explanation, you were drinking at JSB under your parent’s supervision. Um. Ok.
So, your parents were 1 or 2 of the 200 adults at JSB? Right?
So, your parents, if they aren’t Ms. Duncan, were willing to “turn a blind eye” at JSB, just like the caller said?
That’s what I thought. Thanks for clearing that up, kiddo.
It’s like fish in a barrel.
Feel free to post again after the age of 40.
Say hi to your folks for me.
Wow, as a parent, I’ve never used the trusty old tactic of allowing my kids to hang out with hobos, and binge drink with down and out relatives to teach them about how to behave at JSB. I hope that typical “sex talk” was more effective.
@Voice of Reason, Take a few deep breaths and chill out. Also, you are not an expert on anything relating to parenting as you are a child without any kids to parent.
Damn that party was so crazy. I’m still recovering from that orgy. I don’t even remember that night but I think I got it in… Oh ya, I definitely did
sorry i meant so what if a couple people were drunk******** My bad I’m still too trashed from JSB and all the sex and what not
I play soccer… Oooooops
If we drop the moral debate of underage drinking, this is really quite simple.
It is ILLEGAL for minors do drink. If a minor is date raped in the bathroom, drown in their own vomit, gets in a car wreck, or even just gets an MIP, who shares the blame and responsibility? The ADULTS.
If you can’t properly chaperone the event, don’t hold it. Yes, that means watching and removing all alcoholic. It means watching behavior and removing the CHILDREN that are under the influence.
This isn’t a deep ellum warehouse party arranged by the minors. This is a social function coordinated by adults. Take ownership and hold yourselves responsible! It will not only help the teens become responsible adults in our community, it may save a life someday. A charity ball should not end in tragedy.
binge drinking makes me a stronger person you jives
@ Voice of Reason,
You seem like a rational and intelligent person, my point is one of perspective. You only have one point of view, that of an 18 year old. I have many points of view, since I remember the point of view I had as an 18 year old, as well as my point of view at 28, 38 as a parent, etc. You may think that “things are different now”, but I can assure you while some things may be different (drink/ drug of choice, venues, etc.), at the core they are the same.
And I’m certainly not judging kids, because as I stated, I drank when I was underage. I would have killed to have a JSB when I was in high school. My comments are pointed to parents who seem to think that it’s OK, or that they can control it. My parents weren’t naive, they knew that my brothers and sisters were doing what high school kids do, they just did the best they could and remained vigilant. And the kids that I knew throughout life who were the drunkest, the sluttiest, etc. were the ones who’s parents were not engaged, and wouldn’t discipline kids for breaking the rules. I say that from experience, because I’ve been to college, had friends who partied away their opportunities in their twenties, seen employees without discipline or understanding of consequences not understand why they get fired or are not succeeding.
The fact that underage drinking is illegal matters. Doesn’t mean teens won’t drink. I just would not want to encourage/condone it. I kind of feel about JSB the way I did about senior spring break in Cancun. It’s nothing but an accident waiting to happen. My kids didn’t get to go there either.
Another mother. No parents condoned any underage drinking. No parents turned a blind eye to teen drinking. I saw many parents take kids to the drunk tank. I don’t think any of y’all were at the Palladium ballroom watching. Y’all just heard some parent who heard it from there kids exaggeration. Parents kicked kids out but you can’t catch 1200 kids who are intoxicated.
Cats: You are correct I was not there. My kids are in the 20’s and 30 now. Sadly though there are parents who do condone underage drinking. Maybe not those at JSB but some of my friends did and still do condone it. I even know some parents that condone marijuana use.
I know absolutely nothing about this years party. Nothing.
On our Spring Break trip, there was a sweet sweet girl that got drunk and was caught on tape performing certain acts on another senior. That girl was an honor student who didn’t drink prior, and as far as I know that was her very first sexual experience.
Thank goodness it was still video tape then and not a cell phone with internet connection.
I am not saying these kids aren’t responsible for their own actions. However, it is the role of a parent and a responsible community to protect their children from themselves. There is no excuse for not being vigilant.
Again, yes, the fact that it is illegal matters, and if something happens to any of these kids as a result of the cavalier attitude of the adults, you’d better bet they’d be looking at legal and civil consequences.
@Cats- Wait a darn minute. The description you just gave is a far cry from the “could have missed some stuff” explanation from Duncan. And, oh, Cats..but we were at the Palladium. Ever hear of an iPhone?
Can you clarify that 1200 of the 2000 were intoxicated? Just curious, because that’s about what I heard/saw on video. More than half. Drunk as monkeys. Don’t forget to get your DSO tickets, y’all.
Kids drank. It happened. Get over it. Most of the “kids” who drank were 18 year old men and women that, in my humble opinion, should have every right to drink. Next year, I will be going to Texas A&M and becoming a part of the Corps of Cadets. After 4 years of tough physical, mental, and emotional schoolwork/training, I will be shipped overseas to serve my country for 4-6 years as a member of the United States Marine Corps. It actually disgusts me that I will be fighting for my life in a combat zone for people like XT and BlessYourLittleHearts (among others). You have to be some of the most immature parents that I have ever seen in my life. Getting online and having verbal battles with high schoolers? Whatever puts you to sleep at night. And next time before any of you imbeciles bash Ms. Duncan, put yourself in her shoes. If YOU had organized JSB, it probably would’ve been even more of an “orgy drunk fest”.
I was so drunk at JSB. There was cocaine everywhere in the bathrooms. I even did a line with a hispanic janitor. Then I went behind the bar and stole a bunch of the alcohol that the people at the palladium forgot to get rid of.
Gossip is a sin. For all of you parents who follow the rules so strictly, and are such great, wonderful people. How about you gossip about another’s actions, you are sinning, you are terrible, and you are discussing. Please manage your own life, and not otera
52 comments about this??!! Why don’t we just leave it at this: (1) Most of the parents who are commenting were not at the event, and therefore don’t know for sure what went on. (2) Most of the kids who are commenting were at the event, but have no concept of parental responsibility; consequences of poor decisions; the legal system; or proper grammar, decorum and respect for adults.
Hey – I was also kind of an idiot when I was in high school (and went to JSB), but at least I more-or-less recognized that fact and didn’t spend time calling my friends’ parents morons and other, more offensive names.
@ Jeff- I wish you great success at A & M. I hope you do better academically than Rick Perry.
@blessyourlittlehearts: take a lap pledge
@ Jeff, Well, you’re right about one thing, it certainly is fruitless to argue with an 18 year old.
And I stand by my comment, that Ms. Duncan is naive if she thinks there were a few “sweet kisses”, a few drunk kids. Not negligent, not an imbecile, not a bad person, not a bad parent, just naive. That’s not bashing someone, that’s called an opinion.
And you’re also right that I most likely could not have done a better job than Ms. Duncan. That’s because the event has gotten to the point where it is out of control, not this year but most every year. I’m sure her intentions were pure, but neither she nor anyone else could control this event, so maybe it’s time to stop holding it.
I really don’t understand why everyone is getting so bent out of shape about this. It was a high school function, of course there was going to be alcohol, what did everyone expect? I feel bad for the parents that volunteered their time to chaperone this dance because all they are receiving is heat from the outside viewers. Mrs. Duncan is getting blamed for this when in fact it isn’t her fault in the least bit… It doesn’t matter who would have been in charge there still would have been drinking. I understand it’s against the law, but there isnt anything people can do about it if the kids hide it. It would be outrageous and technically against the law if they breathilized everyone at the door because that is being tried without evidence. So I don’t know what all of y’all want or are trying to prove by posting these hate messages about how bad JSB is because “it’ll hurt my baby” if you have such a problem with it, why don’t you sign up to be co-chair next year and prevent 100% of the kids from drinking before they get to the venue where it’s held.
All of the highland park moms on here need to grow up and find something better to do with their time. If this is how you spend your thursdays, I feel sorry for you. You might want to take up yoga or something, do something productive with your time instead of drinking, spending your husband’s money and bashing 1 person for all of your children’s mistakes. Sorry im done now I would just like everyone to stand in Mrs. Duncan’s position. None of this was her fault, this was probably the best JSB event in the past 12 years if not ever.
@Jeff,
Your view of how things are or should be is pretty much how I remember thinking at your age of 18. That, at 18 we were all mature enough to enlist or vote, hot stuff as the top class, overall looked on as leaders of the school; and having grown up in a more fast paced technology driven and connected world that we were just all around savvier than our parents. That we were mature enough in our own “humble opinions” to handle alcohol. That we were not boys and girls but men and women. I feel differently now. I won’t presume to tell you that your view will change as mine has, but I would guess an older you with kids in the future would get a chuckle out of reading your post.
Also, to say that “immature parents” are “getting online and having verbal battles with high schoolers” is just silly. You do realize this is the Park Cities People blog and not Facebook, right?
for any of you parents out there trying to blame one person for your total lack of parenting skills, why don’t yall check what you’re drinking at lunch yourself and carry on with your day? Last time i checked, Mrs. Duncan did not give birth to 2500 children. take responsibility for yours. Gotta love Highland Park moms.
This is hysterical:
1. Some kids at a high school dance are drunk; some to the point of passing out/vomiting.
2. Parents of some kids get all riled up about #1.
3. Community paper gets contacted by parents from #2 and as news orgs are won’t to do, they distribute the news of the day (yep, 1,200 out of 2,500 underage students being drunk at a dance just happens to be news).
4. Parents start discussing topic put forth in #3.
5. Students from #1 chime in with semi-witty and not very well thought out responses to Parents discussions in #4.
6. Parents from #4 respond back with less witty but more grammatically correct and well thought out posts to Students from #5 which are really students from #1 (still with me?).
7. Students from #5 which are really students from #1 respond back to parents from #6 that it is really the parents of the students from #1 who are at fault for the massive amount of underage drunks at the high school dance.
8. Students from #7 which are really students from #5 which are really students from #1 realize they just said that it is their own parents’ fault for being cool with underage drinking.
9. …
*won’t = wont
BlessYourLittleHearts: NO MY PARENTS WEREN’T THERE YOU MORON. I think you need to take some reading comprehension classes or something so I’ll spell it out for you. MY PARENTS, ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT CONDONE IT, TOOK A REALISTIC APPROACH IN TEACHING ME ABOUT ALCOHOL. THEY KNOW IT’S EVERYWHERE, SO INSTEAD OF TURNING A BLIND EYE THEY EQUIPT ME WITH KNOWLEDGE SO THAT SHOULD I TAKE THE RISK OF FACING THEIR CONSEQUENCES (alongside the law’s) I WOULD BE SAFE IF NOTHING ELSE. IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU? It’s no wonder our country is in the toilet with immature and idiotic people such as yourself raising children and holding jobs. Jeez. And another thing, I never hung out with hobos and my father is by no means “down and out”; my parents were simply smart enough to open my eyes to the world outside of the bubble and show me the consequences of my actions. They are the reason for all of my academic and athletic successes, for why I have stayed out of trouble, the trash can, and off the bathroom floor, and most of all for raising me to be more immature than at least one 40 year old.
As for you, XT: Your perspective is absolutely valid, yet for this subject matter is not necessarily superior as mine offers current insight both of my situation and of countless others. Adults tend to try to sweep their children’s issues with alcohol under the rug. However, kids have no problem disclosing their parents punishments and tendencies relating to their drinking. I’m not saying mine is superior, but rather it has the potential to complement yours. Which leads me back to my original point: the problem lies within the parents’ dealings with teenage discretions, etc. and comes to fruition with, for example, a soccer player passed out on the bathroom floor.
If you’re a parent commenting on this that tells me a few things about you. First, your one of those parents whose raised the perfect child. Obviously, otherwise you’d have to be parenting them instead of taking the time to comment. I can assure you your kids not perfect your just too blinded by your own self righteousness to see that you and your parenting style has had a negative effect on your kids life. Second, if you think that any “party”, fundraiser or school sponsored, doesn’t involve alcohol then you don’t know highschool life. Yes we drink, but so did you so stop judging. Which brings me to my last point, if your kid is one of the very few Highschoolers who doesn’t drink or smoke congrats, I’m glad you won’t have to see his freshen year of college, cause he/she won’t know what hit them.
@Avid Reader Thanks for the summary but if this was a test youd fail, summaries of previous text recieve zero credit. You looked really cool with all your cross referencing though……….seriously though, youve obviously recieved a very expensive education. Its a shame its going to waste (ie your comment). I on the other hand am just disappointed that none of you self rightous moms could find nothing better to do with your time then bash on an event that very well executed. But if you dont believe me ask your kid, ill bet he enjoyed it. Also this is a fantastic way to waste time not doing homework, so thank you.
nothing = anything*
for pete’s sake, there’s nothing new here.
back in the late 60s, HPHS had the infamous
FMDC- friday morning drinking club.
with officers.
and a newsletter.
I went to JSB this year for the first time and it was the funnest dance I’ve been to yet. I don’t know why everyone is so upset about it. Sure, people were drunk, but they were drunk BEFORE they even got there. There really wasn’t that much alcohol in the actual dance and parents should obviously know there will be drinking before they let their kids go….most are not completely oblivious. Personally, being completely sober, I didn’t think it was too outrageous. And as for “a complete orgy”…yeah right… sure people were making out here and there but it wasn’t a “complete orgy”. It was fun and a typical high school dance with drunk teenagers doing what they do.
this makes me sad reading all this. I am in highschool and I went to the dance drunk(hammered to be correct)… I just want to say we should all meet up, be friends, and talk this over with a couple drinks(alcoholic of coarse).
Marijuana is safer than alchohol. That is why I hot boxed the Paladium on saturday
More mature than at least one 40 year old* I’ll go ahead and correct myself as I’m sure you’d love to use that against me.
“Use that against [you]”, like in a pithy remark perhaps?
Let’s just hide all of the alcohol in our English classrooms behind the spelling, punctuation and grammar textbooks. Problem solved.
I kid; I kid. You are doing much better than the majority of your brethren. Bradford even made an entire post dedicated to the greatness that is our future generations’ vast knowledge and expertise of the English language.
JSB was crazy. All you moms that don’t think your kids are smoking crack and having sex on dancefloors are very, very, naive. I’ve been smoking drugs since 8th grade; wake up parents, the times they are a changin’. Outrageous fun.
Bless your hearts has been pwned
If you were not at JSB no need to comment, we don’t need your opinions. Especially HP moms, we all know you have nothing to do all day but this doesn’t mean you need to gossip about teenagers. Do you get any satisfaction in this? I don’t think so. Go drink your hearts out at next weeks lunch bunch, where your own children will be looked down upon most likely.
THIS IS HIGHSCHOOL.SH** HAPPENS.
Where did @itshighschool ‘s comment go?
Woo boy. Tired head.
I’ve learned SO MUCH in the past 24 hours. That’s why I din’t post last night. I rented a party bus, and we took the whole family, “hammered” down to skid row. I let my kids drink until they threw up. Next, we dropped in on some friends of mine in rehab, because that’s what good parents do. Whereas before I thought it was my job to help my children make good decisions, I now realize from the articulate comments from students on this blog that, NO, my job is to wallow in the bad choices along with them. And, drink at lunch. And, since I don’t do anything all day, maybe I should take up yoga. Gosh, I think Ms. Duncan shouldn’t just host JSB next year, I think we as a community need to put her in charge of Homeland Security. Out of the mouths of babes.
I’ve also learned that Jeff, although he hasn’t yet received his high school diploma, demands from us the respect afforded a graduated member of the Aggie Corps and a combat veteran. I’ve learned that Jeff isn’t, at some point, as a potentially future decorated Marine, fighting for Americans like me. No, Jeff is fighting for the lunchtime lushes, yoga doing parents of University Park and the Ms. Duncans of this world. (Your CO’s are going to have a field day with you, Jeff, btw. They tend to frown upon law breakers and whiners in the Marines, ijs. There’s a reason why I’m up at 5 everyday, Jeff, and it isn’t so that your ilk can fight for your right to par-tay.)
Mostly, though, as it relates to JSB, I’ve learned that the lunatics are running the asylum. XT is probably right- it’s time to end JSB. If the students are unwilling to participate in a legal, safe, and gracious manner, the DSO can’t continue to tempt fate by allowing this to go on year after year. Sadly, it seems that every generation or so in every school has a painful reminder of drugs/drinking/drunk driving, those kids who become the urban/suburban myth.
The HPHS students aren’t the only ones who participated in debauchery at JSB. There were 20 or so schools supporting this event. There were at least a dozen well-respected private schools represented at JSB. Many of the private schools have policies on alcohol/drugs. It doesn’t matter where you live, or where your children go to school, they are not immune to the mindset so prominently displayed in the comments on this blog.
We’ve gone from an outright denial from Duncan to something that is truly shameful. She probably complained to her daughter, who then told her friends, and the aftermath is sadly seen in the comments. At first, the students denied, but on display for all of us now, the students have admitted that the complaint was legit. In the future, Ms. Duncan, since I’m fairly certain you are reading this, it would be best to simply own up to your part , apologize, and try to do better. I find it really tragic that the DSO has not responded officially, and Ms. Duncan is comfortable allowing teenagers to speak for her on this matter. I don’t know the parent that made the complaint, but I find it hard to believe that JSB has never, in 53 years had a complaint. There are a number of us who have raised serious concerns in the past. I attended JSB in the 80’s, and the event is (or has always been) declining in decorum.
Now, excuse me. I need to sort the recycling from the party bus, and hydrate my children from our field trip to skid row. Oh, and I have to work.
Apparently you’re no better, Avid Reader, because that is still nowhere near what I’m trying to say. Apparently it is fruitless to argue with 40 year olds. I’m done trying, but I can’t wait until you’re all rotting in retirement homes while the generation you created fixes the problems your generation left us with. Good luck with reading and thinking and all that tough stuff. Peace.
Yuck. This whole makes me sad. I am an HP Mom and I work full time, have for years. I am not sure why some of the kids imply that Moms do nothing all day. It’s really weird and kind of disheartening that kids have such negative opinions of Moms.
My kids are grown, so I wasn’t there and no nothing about it, but sounds like nothing has changed over the years.
To the kids: I am not naïve never was, and I didn’t raise perfect kids, far from it. I knew that bad things happen, and some of those bad things happened to my kids. Still it was my job to protect and educate them, and I was vigilant about that. Despite our very best efforts bad things can still happen. All we want to do is keep you safe so that you too can grow up and one day be a parent and have all of this fun!
@Voice of Reason, You are right about everything. Not one thing you have posted has been wrong. You will be the guiding generation to help pull us old people out of the darkness. Thank you for showing us the light by being able to drink till you pass out and then write grammatically incorrect rants. I can only hope the remainder of the “adults” can also learn from your keen insight and vast worldly experience in these matters that have never come up before or even been discussed! We are forever in your debt.
Thank you Ms Duncan for hosting a great party. The blame you are receiving is very unwarranted.I had a great time dancing and playing poker with my friends, and never felt unsafe doing so. @bless your hearts, your last comment sounded very defensive and you have no basis on which to criticize Ms Duncan. You are operating off of rumors and gossip, as with the other parents commenting on this article
Y’all need to understand that kids in highschool drink. They will always drink, the only way you would be a good parent with a kid that drinks and knows he/she drinks is to make sure that they are drinking responsibly. You parents push drinking farther underground every time you ground your son or daughter for drinking. Same with the police, everytime a kid gets a drinking ticket. The kid will just go about drinking the same amount, but in a more secretive way. It’s the 21 drinking age to tell the truth. The government has had a disfuntional relationship with alcohol since the prohibition. MADD(mothers against drunk driving) was the reason that 21 is the drinking age now It was made to reduce highway fatailties. Just dont let your kid drink and drive. Kids will drink, they will always. It’s just so one(parents) need to teach them the right way. There is a right way to drink even if your “underage” an that’s making the right decisions.
For all parents that restrict drinking and do not let their kids live and learn. Your the ones at blame when they later on in life they drink to much(cause they didn’t know limits) and ruin their own life’s. Teach them right.
To the kids that went to JSB drunk, props to you. To the kids who threw up, y’all are retarded. JSB was 8:30 till like 11. Learn how to drink.
I went to JSB drunk. Played craps the whole time an didnt cause a single problem. It’s cause I know how to drink correctly.
I’m just curious what the right way is to teach kids to drink, specifically. And what about drugs since they are so prevalent? Is there a right way to teach kids to take drugs?
Parents that force there kids not to drink, are forcing their kids into alcoholism later on in life. When a kid goes to a school like Highland Park High School, you are only subjecting them to easy access to drinking and whatever else you think they might me doing. WFTW’s point is so well written that parents should understand his reasoning for why parents should monitor and make sure their kids are drinking responsibly. Parents that don’t allow it and are strict towards drinking, will make their kids drink irresponsibly later on in life. Personally my parents new about our activites and made sure that we didn’t drive and made the right choices, you live in HP get over it, your kids are going to drink. Deal with it.
Wait, the high school kids drink now? When did this development start? Can we get another brilliant student’s take on why drinking illegally underage is not only ok, but really that any parent worth their salt should be encouraging them to drink.
Drugs are illegal, so there is really no “correct” way to “teach kids” on the drug part.
So Another mother- let your kids learn from their own bad experiences with drinking. You offer them a beer or two at a family dinner. You watch how they come home at night and how they react to being drunk. You don’t ground them. Make your kids realize that it is an expectation that they handle themselves while drinking and that they make the right decisions, while drinking. Let them know that it isn’t a celebration when they come home drunk, without getting arrested or in to trouble. Drinking is a privilege that has many expectations to it.
WFTW, Drugs are illegal, but illegal underage drinking is to be encouraged? How did we survive without these revolutionary ideas so clearly stated? Please help us out with some other laws that are dumb and to be ignored?
WFTW: I’ll agree with you that drinking is a privilege and that parents should discuss drinking and its effects. I’ll agree with you that it’s most likely going to happen. I’m also with you that we all learn from our mistakes. I’d say it’s pretty hard to teach someone to make the right decisions while drinking – drinking and making the right decisions don’t always go hand in hand, even for adults. But I understand what you and some of the others are saying.
Thee thing is you said that because drugs are illegal there is no good way to teach someone about them. But underage drinking is also illegal, so that part is a little confusing. And one other thing, forcing someone not to drink does not make someone an alcoholic. On that point you are 100% factually incorrect. I think what you meant to say is that shielding kids from alcohol can lead to rebellion later in life. I can’t say that I have seen that, but I am sure there are instances of this happening.
So, I guess I should teach my daughter about pregnancy and risks of STD’s by charging money for her to have sex.
Is Josh Hamilton driving this bus?
Youth. I remember being 18. I was so smart, I knew everything. Thank you Voice of Reason and all your other compadres who chimed in for bringing back memories of self-indulgence, recklessness and incompetency that is also known as youth. What is bothering me the most is the blanket statements that students whose parents insist that they refrained from alcohol, sex and drugs in high school will be the first ones to line up for the girls gone wild cameras. You have a lot of learning and growing up to do before you can even form an opinion on responsible parenting. I too attended JSB as a high school student. I am sure I drank alcohol on more than one of those occasions. I am also sure that if I was caught by my parents drinking I would have been in BIG trouble. Trouble because not only is it illegal to drinkk alchol before the age of 21, but because as you will learn later on in life, alcohol reduces the ability to make decisions based on consequences. Plus, I am writing this because I find you annoying with your rude responses and bad language.
@BlessYourLittleHearts
Maybe you should remove the stick out of your bum, take some pills, get high, have a stiff drink – relax a little. Or maybe you just have some personal beef with the organizers? If you knew JSB was going to be like this, you shouldn’t have sent your precious children to see the drunken orgy fest. You’re a drama-starter, lady. Good luck with your mission!
Avid reader: Drugs are illegal period. If you live in Texas and your parent are insite of you, you can drink. You can drink as much as you want, even in front of a police officer. So yes parents can encourage drinking with out being at fault.
Another mother: I never said “alcoholic” or “force” So there for I am not incorrect. But yes shielding your son/daughter from alcohol can cause problems for them later on in life. That’s your choice though.
And ya blessyourlittlehearts you went off topic. Go ahead and teach your daughter about stds cause she may need to identify them soon if your gonna charge people money for sex with your daughter.
WFTW: You are incorrect that you can drink with your parents and police when you are underage. Both of my kids received MIPs while at someone else’s home. Neither event was a party, just a couple of kids drinking in the backyard with the parents’ home and with their knowledge. I am sure both sets of parents were thinking that they were teaching the kids to drink responsibly. Unfortunately those pesky neighbors heard the kids in the yard and were aware they were drinking and called the police. In both cases it was the HP police. In both cases everyone was given an MIP, including the kids whose parents were there. I wasn’t angry with the kids but I was furious with the parents. IMO the parents were at fault for allowing underage drinking which resulted in legal consequences for the kids and none for the parents. IMO the parents were irresponsible. It’s illegal for minors to drink anywhere in Texas including with their parents. That’s the law.
Also, I am sorry. You did not make the alcoholism comment. It was Take Me Drunk Im Home. Forgive me.
WFTW, Everytime you post such coherent sentences without massive grammatical errors, your position on these matters is greatly improved. Apparently, the drinking age laws are to be fully ignored and you can no longer fear getting a ticket for Public Intoxication. All because WFTW says “you can drink as much as you want, even in front of a police officer”. Please use that as your reasoning when the police officer is trying to cuff you as you are lying on the floor of the bathroom in your own vomit. Eagerly awaiting more ground breaking parenting advice from our future Mensa members.
Another mother: they were MIP’s. I have personally dealed with the ATF on spring break in south padre. I was walking along the beach with beer. He pulled me over. First thing I said is my dad is right there. So you have no right no put any charges on me. He told me I was correct and that he wanted to talk to my father. The ATF official let me keep drinking. The only law is that your gaurdian or parent has to be in site of you at all times.
http://drinkingage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=002591
Look at 1 and 8.
BlessYourLittleHearts you are rediculose. You are so irrational and then bashing Josh Hamilton because he drank? He’s over the age of 21 he can do that if he wants and I can also tell you that you are a terrible person and you need a life.
WFTW: Ok. I understand. You can drink if your parent is watching you the whole time. I guess in the situation for my kids the parents were inside and the kids were outside, so everyone was ticketed. Thanks because I didn’t know that.
*MIPs
*dealt
*guardian
*sight
Spelling is not as much fun as drinking till you pass out; but it is actually a little more helpful in life.
I want to apologize, i am a troll. Did y’all know i have no social life so i have to share my thoughts on the Park Cities People? I’m sorry
Avid reader: sowwry that you have no good cum back for me. I guess drinking is more fuun. And no I would take life experiences over knowing how to spell any day.
@blessedyourlittlehearts, Thanks for the heads up. Did you know that your screen name is very close to another poster that goes by blessyourlittlehearts? Crazy!
@WFTW, No apologies necessary.
WFTW, I am sure those life experiences will help you in college and on your job applications, provided you don’t succumb to alcohol poisoning or a DUI before you have a chance to do either. I know it’s a big word, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out.
Unfortunately, many of the people posting on this blog have gone through what you think is a unique experience. Yes, we partied. I know you find that shocking. However, the difference is we speak from experience, and we now know what we did was idiotic. The thing is, we are trying to stop idiots like you from repeating our mistakes and having them result in a horrendous outcome. Most of all, we would like for you to not hurt one of our kids.
I believe you make bad choices, but it appears that your parents allow you to do so with their permission. Good for you. My only hope is that you learn from their mistakes and don’t repeat the cycle that results in the pompous, selfish attitude that it seems to have instilled in you.
Alright all of this is getting out of hand although my parents may condone drinking does not make them a bad parent and me “surcumbing” to petit pressure and drinking does not make me a bad kid. It is normal especially for a kid from the park city’s like myself to want to drink at my age. Although my parents might not be teaching the way blessedyourlittlehearts and another mother had in mind they still raised me. I might drink but at least I’m not going to be a little gossip queen bitch who has nothing better to do with his/her time than comment on a no name newspapers web sight. You mothers who are writing on this may not be addicted to alcohol but y’all do live for the gossip wich is even worse. My JSB expierience was this: I drank about 16 beers smoked about 2 joints and 1 line of coke threw up then left for the dance, arrived at the dance with my flask all up in my junk where I finished it there playing poker and blatantly hooking up with girls. After then dance finished I went to my after party where I smoked more drank more and partied more. If you think I am a failure as a child then you are wrong I have a 4.2 GPA and have been accepted to Brown University. #traphard
NFW: I didn’t make a mistake. And i don’t make bad choices. I make smart well thought out choices, so I don’t make mistakes/ hurt anyone. You choice of pathos in your comment, hasn’t done anything for you on this topic. Yes no one wants anyone to get hurt. But that’s besides the point. So let your kids learn from their experiences on their own. Your their mentor to watch over them and help them recover, not to decide in what choices they or others make.
I’m going to have a seizure trying to read the students’ posts. It’s like one of those viral emails where they leave all of the vowels out and you can still sort of make out what is written.
@avidreader well if you live in the Park City’s thanks for helping pay for my education.
These kids sure have a lot of free time during school to post…
You are welcome. Can’t wait to see the end of year bulletin with the list of where all the seniors are going to college. I’m guessing a few things here; there will only be a few names next to Brown, I will know the parents attached to those names, none of those parents would condone their child doing multiple illicit drugs, and that they would want to know if their child was doing illicit drugs (even if they have a 4.2 gpa). Where’s the party this weekend y’all?
Wait this is still going on? Parents and kids are still fighting? Haha this is great
Party is at the palladium mofo!!!!!!
@avid reader I am not going to brown I applied early action somewhere else, don’t worry thought it is another Ivy league School.
@Traphardian, Great walkback and good for you in thinking ahead and not putting your true gpa or school. However, you should apologize to any kids that do actually get in and enroll at Brown in advance because their parents will still be getting a phone call, free drug testing kit (courtesy of yours truly), and printout of your stellar writing skills and admittance to casual cocaine usage.
You must have no life
I so wish i worked for PCP then i could look up the IP addresses of these posters and find their real addresses. i would show up at their house with posts in hand to share with parents!
I was at JSB, and (shocker!) I didn’t drink or get high or have sex! However I did
1)Get thrown up on
2)Feel as if I was about to be raped anytime I got near the dance floor
3)See more people dry humping than I really ever want to see again.
4)See a parent bribe a cop to get a girl from my school back into the party.
5)Teenagers (what?!??!) DRINKING AT THE PARTY. (someone actually shared their knowledge of liquor smuggling with me) (what is this the Prohibition?)
Mrs. Duncan, I don’t care what you think happened at JSB, but if I feel like I’m going to contract AIDS by even partaking of the chocolate fountain, then you have a problem.
Dear Teens, If you need alcohol to have fun, you’re a pretty boring person. Have fun going to your Ivy League while living in a building your parents had to “donate”.
@nice bolo- I like your moxie, kiddo. You’re a good kid.
I don’t. I go to work. I take care of my family. I live through you Trap, and apparently we are going to have a fantastic time at Brown!! That is, if your parents still let us leave their nest after failing a drug test for cocaine. *Fingers Crossed*
What are we doing tonight Trap?
@Avid Reader- Tonight is special. I’m hosting a kegger for Trap, the Duncans, and I’m hoping the TABC and ATF show up. I invited them. I plan to show them 1 and 8. You’re welcome to come unless you are too busy trying on lax gear for Brown, and picking dorm decorations! It’s been a long day. I had 3 bottles of wine at lunch, and spent the rest of the afternoon doing yoga poses with my new hobo friends, because that’s what good parents do. Later, I’m going to teach my kids how to whip up a batch of margaritas and shoot craps. It’s going to be #EPIC.
God sees all sins as equal, take that into consideration, because just like drinking, gossip, judging, and murdering (in this case with words) are all sins.
@this is discouraging- Let’s take a look at the “sins,” shall we?
A rumor is defined as a currently circulating story of uncertain or doubtful truth. In the case of JSB, the caller’s report isn’t a rumor. We have numerous admissions of drinking and other questionable activities at the event.
Gossip is defined as casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. Again, we have numerous admissions. What the caller reported is true.
Judging is defined as forming an opinion or conclusion based on fact. The students who were there outlined the facts for us. Silly rabbit, can you point me to a scripture that specifically prohibits the formation of an opinion or conclusion. Care to trot out “Judge not lest ye be judged?” Okay, I’ll play along. Another interpretation of that is that we are ALL subject to judgement, here on earth, in heaven, etc. One-third of the US government is the judicial branch- all about “judging.” Isn’t your classification of “sins,” in and of itself a “judgement?” Is that also a sin? Are we to walk around behaving in a way that is fully devoid of the ability to form an opinion? Are we specifically prohibited from drawing conclusions? Ever read the letters of Paul? That’s what I thought.
And, “murdering” ‘(in this case with words)’- are you pooping me? Who exactly is being “murdered” with words? Are you seriously trying to paint the adults who were in charge of JSB as victims? When the half-denial didn’t work, the defense shifted to “everyone is doing it,” and now that has been demonstrated to be absurd we’re down to accusing the participants on this blog of murder? There are several parents who were specifically told that in order to be a chaperone that they had to “turn a blind eye” to the activities at JSB. Several.
Since you brought up “sin,” one common definition of blasphemy is the act of claiming for oneself the rights and attributes of God. Hmmm.
Under your pronouncement of “sin,” as a parent, I am barred from teaching right from wrong, setting expectations and consequences for decisions, and correcting bad behavior. Can’t get too judge-y or form an opinion, and certainly can’t discuss it. Might hurt someone’s self-esteem. Your thought/theory is invalid. In fact, in natural law and Biblical principal I am commanded, as the custodian of a child, to do exactly those things. What is clear from the comments on this thread is that there are some parents in this community who aren’t doing their job.
Look at the student’s comments above. What should really discourage you about those is that these teens aren’t “recreational,” they act, talk, and live like addicts. They have a problem. JSB has, for many years (some argue 53) a blatant and shameful display. But, since the students come from the “right” zip codes and “right” schools, it’s all something “polite” society must endure, right? Wrong. (Sorry, I’m judging again. Oh, right, that’s what those pesky courts and juries are about. My bad.)
“All that is needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.”
You guys are pathetic especially blessyourlittlehearts and avidreader you all blow everything you do out of porportion, y’all think you have it all figured out because you are an adult. These people are messing with you to get a rise out of, I hardly believe traphardians story and most of these other kids who are doing crazy things. They are just saying it so they can laugh at you crazy reactions, in the end they have won by wasting y’alls time over a meaningless debate.
A thought for parents: If you think JSB is a drunk fest, dangerous event, don’t let your kids go. I didn’t back in the late 90’s. I wasn’t particularly popular at that time, but who cares and now he barely remembers that he couldn’t go. And if enough parents do this a message might be passed to the organizers that something needs to be done. Frankly I am not sure how you control 1200 teenagers, but if yours isn’t there then you won’t have to worry.
Just wait. Channel 4 has the video cam tape.(84 minutes of it) They will be airing this in a month or so. They have to complete the investigation first.
I love it.
Come on people. This issue is not just a “Park Cities” issue or a “JSB” issue. Teenage drinking is out of control. My child has been to 3 high school events this year, (yes Highland Park) but that is beside the point. Each event there was several kids intoxicated in some form or fashion. My child has the strength to not become part of that crowd. Thank God.
I will tell you that there are parents that turn their head to this issue. There are parents that deny their child’s involvement. And there are parents that provide the alcohol.
We have parents that take kids to after parties at their lake houses, sit there and drink with the boys and then drive their own suburban back to town the next day.
There are volleyball parents that provide alcohol each weekend so their kids can “drink at home”.
There are parents that openly bash the law enforcement for arresting their kids for being under the influence. But then bash the police because there child was injured in an accident by another drunk driver.
Good God, we have parents having elementry school auctions showing there breast to raise more money.
Wake up! It is an issue! It starts with you the parent!
So, sit in judgment on that…Park Cities, St. Marks, ESD, Woodrow……ECT.
The facts hurt. So quit blaming everyone else!
Why don’t the parents that think it’s ok step up.
One of the local news channels is airing a segment on this. They have hidden camera footage of the drinking and associated actions.
Come on people. This issue is not just a “Park Cities” issue or a “JSB” issue. Teenage drinking is out of control. My child has been to 3 high school events this year, (yes Highland Park) but that is beside the point. Each event there was several kids intoxicated in some form or fashion. My child has the strength to not become part of that crowd. Thank God.
I will tell you that there are parents that turn their head to this issue. There are parents that deny their child’s involvement. And there are parents that provide the alcohol.
We have parents that take kids to after parties at their lake houses, sit there and drink with the boys and then drive their own suburban back to town the next day.
There are volleyball parents that provide alcohol each weekend so their kids can “drink at home”.
There are parents that openly bash the law enforcement for arresting their kids for being under the influence. But then bash the police because there child was injured in an accident by another drunk driver.
Good God, we have parents having elementry school auctions showing there breast to raise more money.
Wake up! It is an issue! It starts with you the parent!
So, sit in judgment on that…Park Cities, St. Marks, ESD, Woodrow……ECT.
The facts hurt. So quit blaming everyone else!
Who got pwnd?
Thanks for the info.
all you moms need to quit bitching and worry about your own lives for once. try getting a job so that your time is occupied by working and not by hovering over your children.
Still think it would be great to see these able bodied kids actually attend one of Jaap’s concerts at the Meyerson. Maybe along side the kids they raised money for? Leading by example and forging a new partnership generation for the arts.
There is no way the DSO needs to bear the liability for this . At a certain point, the money raised is stained and not worth the price.
there were not only 18 year old kids attending. A huge number of 15 and 16 year old sophomores attended.
and in case you were wondering, serving in the highland park cafeteria every third tuesday of the month does not count as a job.
I still can’t believe y’all are going over JSB. Parents y’all have something better to do like watch your kids.
#stfu
Mane why do y’all moms care mane. Were just chilling like a dog and doing our thing. Who cares if we get sleazy that’s what we do
Highland Park moms including mine are naïve parents thaat excpect kids in HP to not drink or do druga obviously did not grow up here. Drinking, parties, drugs and everything else will always go on in HP forever, parents just need to understand that and just monitor the bad things, JSB is always known for drinking, i mean its a multiple school event, including woodrow wilson, i mean come on of all places you should be worring about them not HPHS get over us drinking it won’t stop
Blessyourlittlehearts do you want to meet up and I can tell you about losing my virginity on the dance floor. It was so cool and I was so drunk
I didt remember it but I got to see pictures of it on my friends iPhone. Then I’ll tell you about how much beer I drank all night at the after party. Did you know cocaine can leave your body in 2 days. Come
Drug test me if you want
@blessyourlittlehearts . You are an idiot. The judicial branch of the government is not “judging ” people. It determines the constitutionality of laws passed and actions performed. You think your so high and mighty, think your a great person, and everyone else has done wrong. Well guess what you have done wrong. You spread acidic gossip, you place judgement on others, and you continue to hound people on this issue. You still have something to learn, you cannot change people. So just give up, and also catch the hint that 90% of these comments are clearly jokes just to urk you. Kids will always drink, and I bet you did too in college or in high school. So stop being so judgmental and closed minded and find something else to worry about since you obviously have nothing to do besides feed your dogs, berate your children, and gossip on a small scale news source website. Good night, and good bye .
Slandering people on here is no solution. If you want a change go out and do something about it. Just giving my POV, I didn’t even direct that comment to parents, and I even admitted that drinking is a sin so I am confused by your response @BlessYourLittleHearts.
Anyway here are a couple of verses I found to prove a few of my points…
Romans 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.”
Luke 6:37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
WAIT! Underage kids drink alcohol!?!?!?!? Call the cops. Sound the alarm.
It isn’t slander if it’s true.
TFTC
Um, kids, in case you haven’t noticed, the parents have lost interest. Your over the top comments have now signaled you’re messing with them. Please move on to insulting your own parents at home.
avid reader: if you do have a family, then shouldn’t you be working and worrying about them rather than hovering over the valedictorian, Traphardian? We all know he goes the hardest in the high school and he’s going to Brown so why does it matter if he parties?
Going into the dance for the first time, I was 100% convinced that it was going to be a drunk fest, but to my surprise I went and I can say it was not a total drunk fest. Granted, I did play poker a majority of the time and didn’t spend much time on the dance floor, but to say that it was a total drunk fest is a bit of stretch. I’m a High School Junior, and not very many people I knew rather well were drunk. I can say I saw 200 people I know by name who were certainly not drunk, and twice that whose names I didn’t know and weren’t drunk. Maybe that’s just the people I associate with, but there’s probably a hidden majority of students out there who make the right decision, it’s just overshadowed by the people puking in trash cans and making out on the dance floor. Honestly, it’s not like the student who complained hadn’t overheard anything about drinking during JSB before going into it. Now that formal complaints are out there like this, then it’s official, WARNING: High School kids drink at JSB, go at your own risk.
If it’s truly an issue, parents don’t have to let their children go to the dance and they can throw a party of their own with their 100% responsible, non-drinking friends.
HP kids aren’t frat….
I’ve been to JSB for the past three years (I’m a girl at a private school in Dallas)
Every year there are drunk teenagers at JSB, but everyone I know would not risk bringing alcohol into the dance. Purses and coats are checked. Girls and boys must take their boots off before coming in (no hidden flasks)
The teenagers are wary of the many many parent chaperones and policeman
Drinking AT JSB is rare, “pre-gaming” before hand at people’s houses, in the parking lot, or in a party bus/limo is typical
Yes the dance has an unfortunate reputation, but JSB organizers aren’t to blame–they do well to control underage drinking on the premises. We all just drink beforehand. This year, teens stumbling in who were clearly intoxicated were breathalyzed
Duncan isn’t turning a blind eye
@Rick Perry . your right, they arent, because they are not in college yet! how could you be in a fraternity in highschool! wow!
Rick Perry was a yell leader at A&M. That’s about as gay as it gets.
@Rick Perry HAH Rick Perry is a geed.
Rick Perry: HP party wise>all other schools in dallas
As a gay black man, I was very disappointed that more people weren’t doing more lines with me and the latino janitor in the bathroom!
I was out of control at this event. My memory of going in is foggy and I blacked out after I lit my second j in the bathroom. I strongly hope this even continues as next year I will be a junior and it will be even more rowdy. To think that some kids don’t drink makes me sad. I was basically fed shots since the 9th grade at family dinners….too rowdy
@Another Mother and BlessYourLittleHearts: Why in the hell are you people so self righteous? You weren’t even at the dance and have only a few accounts of what it was actually like. Furthermore, you take the most extreme examples of kids and make it seem like every kid there was doing crack and cocaine. So what if there are some kids doing those drugs and drinking? That is their choice and it does not effect you whatsoever. Also, there is no need to rip on Josh Hamilton you don’t know him or what he is really like, just what you learn from the media. Moreover, why brand lacrosse as a trouble sport? You know nothing about the teams or the kids. You just go by what you hear from your gossip chain. Also, if you are really so sure that you are right and you think you can help with this “problem” that is JSB apparently, then why don’t you go speak about it? If you want to leave an impression on kids and parents then do not voice your opinions on an anonymous website. Most importantly, you cannot put the blame on one woman. It is just completely out of question that the problem you think exists is Duncan’s fault. And if you are going to take a stance on an issue then next time I recommend you stick to your goal or opinion instead of changing it mid-argument. In addition, don’t get all high and might about how you work and how you did this in that. If you have time to post on this in the middle of work then you it must not be that hard. In fact, I bet a good number of those kids you insult and rip on from schools like St. Mark’s, Greenhill, and even ESD could your job better than you.
P.S. Just a tip: Your sarcasm does not help your argument, so no need to waste your time with silly jests. But then again your life seems to be based around wasting time now isn’t it?
Okay, I’m just going to say this. There were tons of drunk kids at JSB. My parents don’t tell me what to do But I def. won’t go back to JSB. The whole time I was having to help up drunk girls and helping them when they got sick. IDK why parents are saying it was’nt that bad.
Uhhhh Student: I don’t believe you read my posts because if you did you would note that I never mentioned Mrs Duncan, never mentioned Josh Hamilton (I don’t even know who he is), never mentioned the lacrosse team (my son was on the HP lacrosse team and I love that sport!), I made it very clear that I was not there nor do I know anyone who was this year (my kids are long gone), I never blamed anyone. My only point was that I think JSB was an event out of control back in the late 90’s early 2000’s and apparently still is.
I am not even going to address your point on working. It’s so immature, emotionally driven and makes no sense. But then again you’ve never worked full time so you have no clue.
P.S. If you read my comments none of them had sarcasm in them.
Dear friends: Let’s cease and desist. This blog is just manufactured garbage…much ado about nothing. Had the PCP author bothered to do a real journalistic story on the event, done any real research or interviewed those involved (Students, parents, chaperones, Symphony participants/sponsors), she would have been able to give a balanced and fair account of the event. Do not be fooled. That was not her intent. Instead, a so-called “journalist” writing for a so-called “community” blog/paper has entrapped you all in this web of rumor-mongering, deceit and misinformation. See the first line of her story: “Humor me..as I put on my gossip columnist hat and entertain a little rumor.” Enough said. I am embarrassed by this unprofessional forum and am canceling my subscription to this “community-unfriendly” rag. The Enquirer looks good compared to this garbage. Shame on PCP.
@wisemom
Too bad the rumors are true. There is a huge, undeniable drinking problem at HP…after reading these comments, I think we can all tell that those kids have multiple problems. (including their attitude and their spelling, but I could go on and on.)
I graduated from HP fairly recently and I’m so embarrassed by the comments on here. Some of these kids are entitled idiots who think they know everything. (If you can’t even spell, you probably aren’t intelligent enough to argue with educated adults. One commenter couldn’t even spell Park Cities. I think he said “Park City’s”. Wow.)
I think that the parents who let their kids drink and shelter them from the consequences are setting their kids up for some major problems down the road. Just reading these comments is enough indication that the stereotypes about HP may not be harsh enough.
Don’t get me wrong, some kids are raised right and become great people despite growing up in HP, but it scares me that so many turn out like some of the commenters above. Yikes.
I didn’t drink at HP, but most people did. (and some of them were very decent people. It doesn’t mean they’re not, but it is a problem that the parents should really be dealing with…) It’s a great community in some ways, but I was very, very glad to graduate and get out of there.
“wisemom”-this is a “blog”. “Blogs” are a place where there is a free flow of “thoughts & ideas”. This blog isn’t in the “community” paper. It is online. It is an option. I don’t care for certain “songs” on the radio. I’m not going to throw away the “stereo”. You defeated your own “argument” by “quoting” the first sentence.
“Quotationally yours, grump”
PS. You remind me of the mom in St. Elmo’s Fire that whispers “bad news”.
Wait what happened at jsb? Just woke up and I’m so hungover damn
New to this and trying to decide whether or not to buy a ticket to JSB in Jan 2013. What changes has the Dallas Symphony Orchestra made to present a safer environment for JSB 2013? Where does this ball take place – is it in the Dallas Arts District?