AN INNOCENT PARTY?

The parties of the first part -- senior class leaders at Simi Valley
High School -- are at odds with the party of the second part -- their
principal.

At issue is the meaning of the word "party."

The students would like to adopt as their prom theme the phrase "Party
Like It's 1999," from the early '80s hit song "1999" by the artist
known way back then as Prince (a song, we confidently predict, of
which the world is going to be profoundly sick by the time Dec. 31
rolls around).

Rather than reject this theme on the basis of its faulty grammar, a
position we could heartily endorse, Principal Dennis Rast vetoed it
because these days the word "party" often connotes drinking and drug
use.

"Every kid who came in here honestly thinks 'party' is celebration,"
Rast said. "You know and I know it has another meaning."

In the spirit of the Boston Tea Party, students are seeking to redress
their grievance. While they have not sought support from the
Republican Party (or even the Democrats), they are party to a lobbying
campaign that includes a petition and letters from parents.

The students should make no mistake about one thing: The principal is
the boss and his final decision must be respected. But Principal Rast
has indicated that he is open to persuasion, if the students'
negotiating party can make a good case.

The students would be wise to proceed not with the hostility of a war
party but in the unifying spirit of a bridal party (or, in horse-happy
Simi, a bridle party). The principal has a legitimate point: Even the
most sincere student must concede that Prince probably didn't have tea
and crumpets in mind when he wrote that irresistible dance tune.

To turn their principal into a Prince fan, the best approach might be
to acknowledge that prom night does indeed bring the temptation for
some students to leave their good sense behind and make decisions they
will regret. A little extra push, such as a song that--oh, admit
it--preaches cutting loose as if there were no tomorrow, might
reinforce this phenomenon.

The challenge facing the students is to recognize that Principal Rast
isn't trying to be a party pooper, he just wants to keep the
festivities legal, healthy and safe. They should demonstrate that they
want the same thing, and suggest some ways students can reinforce each
other's good judgment and help each other to achieve this goal

Then perhaps he'll go along with the idea of partying as if it were
1999.