Parents, police express concern about prom's alcohol-theme party favors

SEWICKLEY, Pa. (AP) -- Even after getting hard-hitting lessons on the dangers of underage drinking, Avonworth Senior High School students selected shot glasses for boys and champagne flutes for girls as prom party favors.
Parents and police are livid over the choice, which the principal went along with.
"They spent the whole week making children aware of the dangers of alcohol. Then this contradictory message came through in the party favors," said Gloria Newman, who found an embossed champagne glass in her daughter's room the morning after last week's dance.
Ohio Township Police Chief Norbert Miklos was at a loss to explain the choice -- especially since police had staged a mock car crash days before the prom to drive home the dangers of underage drinking. "I don't think it's the brightest thing," Miklos said.
Principal Margaret Boden said students and the prom's sponsor didn't get her approval before ordering the favors -- and that it was too late to switch once she found out.
"I do understand the mixed message it does send," Boden said. "It was probably not the best choice."
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