A group of Altoona Area High School students have organized an online petition protesting what the district considers inappropriate dancing in anticipation of the upcoming prom.
Young people don't dance the way their parents and grandparents did. That's for sure.
Today's dancers are often closer to each other and make physical contact in a manner that is considered by some - adults and students alike - to be offensive. Consequently, students were told at a school assembly that "grinding" would not be permitted and that students must face each other when dancing.
We agree with the administration's decision and do not believe it is overreacting.
Our country's moral compass seems to sink daily, and it's up to the school districts to help maintain the lines of good taste. That's what parents expect when they send their children off to school each day - whether it's kindergarten or high school.
We believe there is still plenty of freedom for the students to enjoy what should be a special occasion, and the presence of increased boundaries will help the majority avoid unnecessary peer pressure.
Thumbs-up to Altoona and other districts that are taking a stand in not allowing our adolescents to set the rules.
Others worthy of thumbs-up, thumbs-down mention:
Thumbs-up to Altoona Mayor Bill Schirf for providing eight months' notice that he does not plan to seek another term in office by running for re-election in 2013. Schirf said he enjoys his job, but he wants to spend more time with his wife, Kathy, who suffers from an illness.
His decision is selfless and gives others a chance to consider succeeding him. Schirf has represented the city well, is highly visible at community events and has been particularly cooperative with the media, including the Mirror.
Thumbs-up to organizers of the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society's annual Pints for Pets Brewfest, which will take place at Peoples Natural Gas Field on Saturday. Last year's event attracted 3,000 and raised just under $70,000 - one of the most successful one-day fundraisers in the area. We urge patrons to act responsibly while having fun at the local ballpark.
Thumbs-up to Lt. Col. Arthur "Kit" Murray of Cresson, a test pilot in the 1950s and one of seven inducted into the Cambria County Military Hall of Fame last month. Murray was honored posthumously. Among the other honorees with area ties were Esther McCabe's family of Lilly, which included 11 brothers who went into the military during World War II, and Petty Officer 1st Class John Lipple, Cambria County's first World War II casualty, who died when the Japanese sunk the Battleship Arizona in Pearl Harbor.
Penn State Altoona, St. Francis University and Mount Aloysius College staged their graduations last weekend, and Juniata College's is on tap Saturday. Thumbs-up to all the area graduates who negotiated the trail. We wish them good luck.
