Barred from the Prom

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That's the question that six students on Cape Cod, Mass., asked earlier this month when their dates were barred from the prom after criminal background checks turned up past misdemeanors, like underage drinking and marijuana possession. Officials reversed the ruling when the A.C.L.U. challenged the legality of the checks. But some schools nationwide require students to preregister their dates for informal character checks. At Andover High School in Minnesota, guests who come from other schools must be vouched for by their principals, says Andover principal Dan Dehnicke.

The age restriction may be the most controversial, since it's not unusual for an 18-year-old girl to date a guy a few years older. Dehnicke says he consults the parents of any student who wants to bring a date older than 20 to the prom. "If the parents are comfortable with it, I say O.K." Such a policy would have let Lott celebrate her big night with her schoolmates. Lott's and Raffo's parents asked the school board to let their kids attend the dance together. "His intention isn't to drink or bring drugs to the prom," says Nancy Raffo of her son, who is scheduled to be deployed to Iraq in September. The board wouldn't budge, though Chris offered to take a Breathalyzer test at the dance. The couple had a memorable prom night anyway. "It was nice to be alone, just the two of us," says Lott, adding, "I'm kind of glad I didn't go to the prom parties. A lot of people got busted by the police for drinking."