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WEST JORDAN -- Some parents and students are up in arms over a prom souvenir.
When Copper Hills High School sophomore Bailey Oliver bought a ticket to the junior prom, he also got something else -- a beer stein and champagne class.
"I just didn't know why they would give them out, especially for a high school prom," Oliver said.
A beer and wine glass is just not appropriate for high school students.
–Robert Crowe
They're traditional prom mementos at many schools in Utah and across the country, but some parents don't approve.
"A beer and wine glass is just not appropriate for high school students," said parent Robert Crowe.
His wife, Cary Oliver Crowe, said, "I don't know of any other use for them, so it was shocking to me."
This isn't the first time anyone's raised those sentiments. In 2007, prom-goers at Copper Hills got the same kind of glasses.
One West Jordan father was outraged, and at the time told KSL-TV the prom souvenirs sent the wrong message -- that drinking is acceptable.
"I'm just simply appalled by the insinuation that this is OK," said Gary Davis in a March 2007 interview.
They're very good kids. They'll be devastated that somebody is questioning their morality, their character over these mugs,
–Todd Quarnberg
But this year, there's more reason for concern. Some students and parents say the glasses are not only inappropriate, but insensitive, given the recent death of a fellow student whose body was found in a field.
In February, Braxton Anderson died from alcohol poisoning.
"I would hate to see another one of my classmates die from alcohol," Staveley said.
Copper Hills principal Todd Quarnberg says many students are still struggling with Anderson's death, but he says it'd be wrong to associate it with the glasses. He says the junior class picked them.
"Very good kids. They'll be devastated that somebody is questioning their morality, their character over these mugs," Quarnberg said.
They're things, he says, that are only meant to be a special keepsake.
"I'll bet in homes in this Valley, those mugs and glasses are on teenage shelves stacked side by side as a memento to remember their junior prom," he said.
Quarnberg says he hasn't gotten any complaints from parents or students about the glasses and he's willing to talk to anyone who has concerns. He says the school has no tolerance for drugs or alcohol.
The Copper Hills prom is scheduled to take place Saturday.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
