Bluefield High School in P.E.I. cancels prom

Bluefield High School in Hampshire, P.E.I. will no longer host a prom, after the event experienced problems with student drinking and vandalism last year.

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Officials with Bluefield and the English Language School Board didn't want to comment on specifics, but did confirm there won't be a prom dance at the school.

"Years past, I've looked at pictures and it's like wow, I can't wait for that day. And now that we're not having it, it's kind of depressing," said grade 12 student Tia Tawil.

Parents and students told CBC News: Compassreporter Laura Meaderthat theprom has been ditched because of what happened last year, when some students were caught drinking and damaging school property.

"We were told that there would be no prom, no walk in, due to what happened previous years and how it just affected the school in a negative way," said grade 12 Bluefield student Kalece O'Regan.

The prom was a big deal at Bluefield. Hundreds of people from the community would gather to watch students arrive at the school in all kinds of vehicles. In 2010, that included fire trucks, school buses and a hot air balloon.

Many of the students expressed disappointment they won't be part of this tradition.

Replacementparty possible

A parents' group is trying to organize a party elsewhere to replace the prom, but nothing is confirmed.

"We've had meetings about getting it back and having security and doing an early prom or something to be able to have it, but so far it's still not happening," said grade 12 student Marylou Sweet.

Several other high schools in P.E.I. are scaling back their prom celebrations, skipping dances in favour of simple walk-in ceremonies and photo ops, while others have introduced breathalyzers.