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American Morning

Interview with Alicia Powers, High School Senior

Aired May 14, 2002 - 09:52   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: 18-year-old Alicia Powers is a Massachusetts high school honor student who had planned to take her dream date to the senior prom at the end of this month.

But that date, believe it or not, happened to be her mother, 38- year-old Brenda McDarby, who graduated from the same school, Lee High School, 20 years ago, but had missed her own prom.

Now, fast forward to this year, and Mom was supposed to be going to the prom. Alicia and Brenda had bought their tickets, they even bought matching prom dresses, but then the high school stepped in and broke it all off, citing from official policy, which states "no adults allowed."

And joining us this morning from Springfield, Massachusetts is high school senior Alicia Powers. Good morning, Alicia.

ALICIA POWERS, HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR: Good morning.

ZAHN: Why do you want your mom to go to the prom with you?

POWERS: Well, she is my best friend, is the number one reason. And she didn't get to go to her prom, so I thought it would be a nice idea if she could come with me.

ZAHN: Are you surprised by all the hullabaloo surrounding your request? We actually have a statement -- the superintendent of your school district had to make about your request, and they essentially said, "The prom is a celebration of being young and being in high school. It is not a family event. The prom is for students only. Any guest or dates must be of high school age."

What do you think about that?

POWERS: I think it's ridiculous. I mean there are definitely people older than high school age that go, and just because maybe it's a guy that goes with a girl, and they think that's traditional, you know.

ZAHN: How disappointed is your mom?

POWERS: She is really disappointed. She didn't get to go to her senior prom, and she was really looking forward to it. We already got our dresses, we already got our hair and nail appointments, you know. We have to cancel all these things. We bought our tickets.

ZAHN: What does your boyfriend think about all this?

POWERS: Well, when I started dating him, I told him, you know, I'm bringing my mom to my senior prom, and he said it was a great idea. Right now, he's not too happy because now, you know, he's going with my friend to the prom, but...

ZAHN: Can't he take both of you, now that the school has made this decision?

POWERS: He can, but I think I'm going to go by myself. I told them if I couldn't bring my mom, I was going to go by myself, so I think that is what I am going to do.

ZAHN: And how much grief are you getting from students about this?

POWERS: Well, I haven't been to school yet, but, you know, at the beginning, when I told them that I was bringing her, they thought it was a great idea, and all my friends love her, so -- I haven't been to school yet, though.

ZAHN: Yes, because you're probably one of the few young women in America that wouldn't be embarrassed to have a parent around. I guess that the school is saying that in having your mother come along would open the floodgates for other students to bring adults as well, and that would change the whole tone of the prom.

POWERS: Exactly. But I definitely don't think there wouldn't be that many other students that would want to bring their parents to the prom.

ZAHN: Well, you obviously have an especially close relationship with your mom. Hey, have fun at the prom whether you end up going alone or not.

POWERS: Thank you.

ZAHN: Or with your boyfriend, and thank you for joining us this morning.

POWERS: Thank you.

ZAHN: Good luck to you.

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