Homecoming dances see no alcohol incidents

School administrators reported no problems with underage drinking at each homecoming dance Saturday at Lawrence and Free State high schools.

“We’re just doing business as usual,” said Steve Nilhas, Lawrence High School principal. “We’re making sure that we talk to each student when they come in.”

“They’re here a little earlier tonight, but other than that, it’s pretty typical,” said Joe Snyder, Free State principal.

The simultaneous dances were the first since school district officials ordered a review of the district’s alcohol-testing policy earlier this month.

Three Free State students were suspended for being drunk after the Firestarter Dance earlier in the semester, and three weeks later, four Lawrence High School senior boys were suspended for being intoxicated at a Sept. 15 football game at Shawnee Mission.

While a new district policy to use Breathalyzers at dances was not yet in place, supervisors at the two dances took extra measures.

At Free State, two more off-duty police officers were added to the usual detail that checks the parking lot, and “a few extra” adult supervisors made it 12 watching inside the dance, the principal said.

Snyder also said the school’s situation was not “abnormal,” but extra attention to teen drinking in recent weeks had added scrutiny to an issue that schools and communities have dealt with for years.

Students dance to a hip-hop song at Free State's homecoming dance. The dance was Saturday at the school. While a new district policy to use Breathalyzers at dances was not yet in place, school administrators reported no alcohol-related problems.

Students indicated that the focus on drinking and increased security measures may have changed or somewhat calmed the dance’s atmosphere.

“There’s an odd aura about it,” said Tim Malcolm, a Free State sophomore.

“It’s doesn’t feel like a normal dance,” said Ashley Sakumura, a Free State junior.

“It feels artificial,” said Georg Beilinson, a Free State sophomore.

“It’s not as crazy,” Sakumura said.

At LHS, 10 adults supervised the dance.

LHS students Ernie Bever and Travis Gibbons said they were unsure whether the attention to drinking would keep some students away.

Both Bever and Gibbons said they had not encountered anyone who had been drinking.

At Free State, Malcolm, Sakumura and Beilinson said the same.

By 10:45 p.m., school officials said 400 students were in attendance at both dances, which is about the norm.