Worry and confusion has circulated throughout the Junior and Senior class along with the conflicting rumors about whether or not ticket distributions to the 74th County Assembly and Red and White Charity Balls will be determined by lottery.
According to President of The County Assemblies 2011-2012 Board of directors Gabby Stevenson, ticket distribution will be determined in the same manner as last year: on a first-come, first-serve basis, not by a random drawing.
“Junior and Senior girls who wish to receive an invitation [to the dances] must register during the appointed date. Like previous years, these dances are not sponsored by Staples High School,” Stevenson said.
The initial debate over whether or not a lottery would be conducted, was apparently not a result of the brawl that occurred at last years Red and Whites. Board member Lindsay Duggan clarifies that the decision has always been a matter of efficient organization and liability.
“Since these dances are not run by Fairfield County high schools, there has been past confusion in the process of collecting names and controlling postal delivery of invitations,” Duggan said. “Because no one is necessarily accountable, lotteries have helped avoid any disarray.”
Many students are relieved that ticket recipients will not be decided by a random-lottery drawing, which has been the case in some previous years, but some agree that such a system would reduce the pressures that attendance often entails.
“There is too much hype too soon,” said Chris Tacopina’13, “If tickets were randomly distributed, there would be none of this ridiculous pressure.”
Other students, particularly males, are indifferent about attending the Winter Charity Balls. Walker Marsh ‘13 describes his initial reaction to the lottery rumor.
“When I first heard that there was possibility of a lottery, I really didn’t think anything of it. But it is certainly nice to know that now, everyone will have a chance to be included in a fun-night,” Marsh said, beaming an excited, radiant smile.
The clarification of the lottery-rumor has seemingly enhanced anxieties of upperclassmen girls. Alexandra DeFoe’12, recounts the disappointment she felt after hearing that there would, in fact, not be a lottery.
“I personally have never really cared much about these dances, but I had hoped that there would be a lottery, because then-you could just lie and say you weren’t chosen,” DeFoe said. She continues to explain, with a grim smirk, her frustration with hearing the nonstop “babble” about whose going with who to the Red and Whites dance for Seniors. “A lottery was definitely a better option.”
Anna Fiolek’13 seems to be typical example of whom DeFoe is describing. Having never attended a high school dance as a Junior, Fiolek remembers her disappointment after hearing the lottery-rumor.
“My friends and I were definitely worried-Counties is something that made us look forward to our Junior year. It would be unfortunate if anyone got left out after waiting for two years,” Fiolek said.
After hearing about the anxiety that troubles upperclassmen girls throughout the first semester, Stevenson provides some simple words of relief.
“Rest-assured,” said Stevenson, “You do not need a date to subscribe. And as long as you meet the deadline to sign up, all [Junior and Senior] girls will have the chance to attend.”
While this is reassuring for many, Stevenson stresses that there will be no exceptions made for those that miss the deadline. By this time, Junior and Senior girls who plan to attend this years County or Red and Whites Assembly should have registered in the cafeteria on September 22nd or 23rd.
