Due to safety concerns and the desire to maximize senior attendance, the Junior Prom was cancelled recently at Hudson High School. Although we agree that seniors should be given top priority in this regard this year since they didn't have a prom last year, we also believe that a prom for juniors is completely feasible and safe. We would like for the administration to please reconsider their decision and consult the student body or student representatives on possible solutions.

Possible solutions that are worth consideration:

• Creating a second day for prom, giving seniors and juniors dedicated days so both grades can enjoy this special occasion
• Hosting prom for juniors earlier on the same day, giving ample time in between each grade for sanitation in order to keep students safe and healthy
• Creating a second day for prom dedicated solely to juniors that could have different time slots to sign up for. This would allow for optimal attendance and still keep group numbers low to allow social distancing protocols
• Requiring a negative test- no matter the solution- within the CDC recommended time frame to ensure maximum safety

We students are more than willing to work out other options and further develop the idea behind the ones aforementioned. We also understand that no matter what, prom will look different this year. Flexibility will be required.

However, it is our belief that a safe prom is entirely feasible. Because it's safe for seniors to have one, we think that utilizing those solutions would guarantee a safe prom for juniors as well. The school is also currently back to in-person learning, meaning all of the attendees will already have the possibility of exposure at school. Another concern is regulation. We students understand that the safest way to have prom is through the school where COVID-19 protocols can be enforced, and having no Junior Prom would only beget unsafe gatherings- which we desperately want to avoid.

Just like you, above all we want prom to be safe. This year has been very tumultuous and volatile with the pandemic. Many changes were and are necessary, and many things sadly couldn't happen to ensure students' health. But we want to make sure this year retains as much normalcy as possible. Prom is a very important event in a student's life, and Junior Prom has traditionally been special at HHS. We hope that this year, despite all of its issues, the prom can remain that kind of tradition.

Thank you for taking our voices and thoughts into consideration. We hope to work with and hear from you soon.