"I pledge to attend Homecoming 2010 drug and alcohol free…"

So began a new form students had to sign if they wanted to attend the Sept. 25 Homecoming dance.

"It’s mainly an attempt to raise awareness for students to pursue drug and alcohol-free lives and experiences," assistant principal Walt Gawkowski said.

However, many who signed the pledge, stating that they would celebrate the night drug and alcohol free, didn’t read it thoroughly.

"I didn’t even read it," sophomore Mallory Vandervelde said. "I just signed the pledge because I was told to."

Others said the pledge is important.

Freshman William Halstedt said, "I thought it was a good idea because it gave us a chance to prove they could have this activity drug and alcohol free."

Drug and alcohol awareness is something Mr. Gawkowski said he has thought about quite often during his time as assistant principal, so when he came up with the idea of the pledge this summer, he suggested it to the rest of the administration for a decision.

"Our No. 1 priority is the safety and security of the student body," Mr. Gawkowski said. "I hope that it will do what it’s intended, and if that causes one student to think about the decision beforehand, then it will be a success."