UPDATE: New homecoming policy restricts bringing guests

Homecoming guests must be 19 years old or under and of "good standing" to attend the dance on Saturday, Oct. 29, as required by a new homecoming policy, according to the Student Government Association (SGA).

Blair students planning to bring dates from outside of Blair must notify the SGA Office by Tuesday, Oct. 25. Each student must provide his or her ID number and phone number, as well as their date's full name, school and ID number.

Once all information is received, Blair Business Manager Laurie Checco will e-mail administrators at the schools of potential dates and ask them whether the students are "of good standing." If the date does not attend a school, then his or her reference may be someone "who is their superior," such as an employer, according to SGA Chief of Staff Eric Hysen.

Parents and chaperones voiced concerns that dates of and above the drinking age were consuming alcohol before the dance. "The problem is," said Gainous, "you've got underage people with you." Gainous instructed the SGA to set an age limit, and they did so accordingly.

In the initial stages of planning, dates were to be restricted to Montgomery County students. The final decision was that students may bring friends from public or private schools, as long as they are less than or of 19 years of age.