This was how Clare and James imagined their prom night; full of the expected excitement of two young people on their way to celebrate young love and life, and the end of high school with a fun night out, lots of dancing, and laughter with friends. They didn't expect their night to be cut short by body-shaming and embarrassment. Prom night is supposed to be a memorable night, but for happy and positive reasons, not like this couple's experience...
Anticipating A Night To Remember
Clare Ettinger and her high school sweetheart James Thompson were anticipating their prom night as high school seniors. The 17-year-old couple assumed that their prom would be a magnificent night that would unforgettable, but they had absolutely no idea just how unforgettable their night would actually be, and not quite for the right reasons.
Student Is Requested To Leave Prom As A Result Of Her Dress Choice
The Big Night Finally Arrives
When the anticipated night of the prom finally arrived, the couple prepared for the evening by putting their best foot forward. Many students consider their prom as one of their final chances to enjoy one night of careless socializing with their peers before heading out into the world, and this couple was no exception. However, nothing could have prepared them for the awful turn the evening take.
The Big Night Finally Arrives
A Paris Themed Prom
The theme for the prom was rather extraordinary. “Twilight in Paris” was the chosen theme for the exceptional students. Clare and her boyfriend James simply could not wait to put on their finest outfits and party the night away with all their friends.
A Paris Themed Prom
Ruthless Searching For The Perfect Dress
Clare endured a ruthless search for her perfect prom dress in the days nearing the big night. After rummaging through outfits at a total of six different stores, she eventually confronted the daunting fear that she would simply not be able to find the perfect dress she had in mind. She was just about to give up hope when a very particular dress caught her attention.
Ruthless Searching For The Perfect Dress
The Silver Dress
The silver dress that caught her attention was sparkly and simply perfect. After a seemingly never-ending hunt for a dress that didn’t seem to exist, Clare finally found her perfect outfit at Macy’s. Unfortunately, her perfect dress would soon turn her evening into an absolute disaster.
The Silver Dress
Dress Code Requirements
Clare adored the dress she managed to find, although, she knew it would have to meet certain requirements before she could spend her savings on it. She needed to ensure the dress would pass the fingertip test; a test to measure the length of the dress. If the dress was shorter than the point her fingertips met her legs when relaxed at her sides, the dress would be too short and unacceptable for her prom.
Dress Code Requirements
Not Too Short
Luckily for Clare, the dress was an appropriate length according to the fingertip test. This meant she could purchase the dress and anticipate the night of her prom. However, she had absolutely no idea just how much havoc the dress she adored would actually cause.
Not Too Short
Channeling Marilyn Monroe
Much like most high school girls, Clare was extremely eager to share just how excited she was about finally finding her perfect dress. She posted photos of her herself and later wrote that she was simply channeling her inner Marilyn Monroe for her big night. She had made certain that her dress met the requirements for the prom before leaving for the prom, just in case.
Channeling Marilyn Monroe
No Room For Mistakes
Clare knew there would be no room for any mistakes while she was getting ready for her big night. She performed the fingertip test once again but this time, wearing the perfect heels she had picked out to compliment her dress. She did this to ensure she would pass the test during her prom in the odd situation that a chaperone requested she check the length of her dress.
No Room For Mistakes
The Night Of The Prom
Clare dressed and got ready for the prom. She took all the time required to apply makeup and do her hair. Understandably, she was extremely thrilled about arriving at the prom in her perfect dress. She simply could not wait for the night to begin.
The Night Of The Prom
Unexpected Confrontation
Considering just how many times Clare performed the fingertip test and reassured herself that her chosen dress was appropriate for her prom, there was simply no guessing that there would be any problems. She felt extraordinarily special in her dress and was completely unaware that a confrontation would be awaiting her.
Unexpected And Awkward
Simply Unacceptable
Clare did her best to explain that it may be her long legs that gave the illusion that her chosen dress was to short. However, Mrs. Duncan would simply not listen to reasoning. Despite Clare's efforts to prove that her dress was, in fact, appropriate, the confrontation would soon ruin her prom.
Simply Unacceptable
Passing The Fingertip Test
Clare had made sure her dress was suitable for the prom before purchasing it, and she had made sure several times thereafter as well. However, she would need to demonstrate the fingertip test once again to prove that her choice was completely suitable for her prom. Once again, she passed the fingertip test, even though the dress was notably short.
Passing The Fingertip Test
Not Pleased With The Proof
Unfortunately for Clare, passing the fingertip test once again was simply not enough to please Mrs. Duncan. She warned Clare to ensure the dress would not ride up at any point and recommended pulling the dress down regularly. Mrs. Duncan took it upon herself to keep a close eye on Clare for the remainder of her evening.
Not Pleased With The Proof
Not The Only Short Dress At The Prom
Oddly enough, Clare was not the only student at the prom that had settled on an elegant short dress. However, Clare did notice that other short dresses seemed much shorter than hers did. Unfortunately, the confrontation had already ruined an aspect of her night and she was on alert for other dress choices as a result.
Not The Only Short Dress At The Prom
Unexpected And Awkward
Clare and James both agreed that the prom felt undeniably awkward. Partially because there were simply so many chaperones hanging around and watching everyone. While there were more than enough chaperones surrounding the dance floor, the balcony above hosted even more chaperones that were peering down at the students dancing.
Unexpected And Awkward
Things Get Even Worse
While Clare did not have the type of personality to let harsh criticism go unnoticed, she would later need to remind Mrs. Duncan that her dress was appropriate and so was her dancing. Unfortunately, even Clare’s friends would feel obliged to back up her efforts until Mrs. Duncan would request them to stay out of the situation completely. Eventually, Clare’s boyfriend James also felt he would need to get involved.
Things Get Even Worse
Refunds Are In Order
James demanded to know whether or not Clare would be requested to leave the prom. He then made it clear that if this was the case, Clare would be entitled to a refund. What’s more, he also insisted that the entire group of friends would also require refunds. Unfortunately, Clare felt that she did not make the effort of putting her best foot forward in spending hours getting ready, simply to be kicked out of her own prom.
Refunds Are In Order
Ongoing Argument
As the argument continued, James eventually insisted that he would need to speak to the manager of the entire event. Mrs. Duncan was not at all thrilled at the fact that James was questioning her authority and swiftly refused to argue the issue any longer. Another chaperone was then called to assist with the matter.
Ongoing Argument
Intervention Is Needed
The debate seemed neverending and eventually, it became clear that others would need to get involved to calm Clare and Mrs. Duncan. It was not long at all until someone would not be entirely thrilled about how the matter would be handled.
Intervention Is Needed
Security Escort Out Of Prom
At the end of the ordeal, Clare would be escorted out of her own prom by security. Clare was devastated and later pointed out that her perfect dress stood out too much at a prom intended for homeschooled students from grade 8.
Security Escort Out Of Prom
Devastating Experience
While being escorted out of the prom, Clare felt she needed some clarification on the result of the evening. She asked the security guard that was escorting her whether or not he felt the ordeal was fair. He insisted that he disagreed with how the matter was handled and added that he did not have the right to intervene. To make matters worse, only Clare would receive a refund on her ticket for the evening.
Devastating Experience
Sharing Her Story
In days gone by, students like Clare would have no choice but to grin and bear such unfair treatment. However, thanks to the internet, Clare was able to voice her opinion and share her story. Clare decided that she would use the internet to dissect the matter to understand the situation from other perspectives.
Sharing Her Story
The Power Of Social Platforms
It wasn’t long before readers following Clare’s story decided to take matters into their own hands by commenting on their opinions on the Richmond Homeschool Prom’s Facebook page. Eventually, page admin felt deleting the influx of comments was not enough and the page was taken down in its entirety.
The Power Of Social Platforms
Clare’s Heartbreaking Tale
Clare’s experience became an overnight sensation as commenters suggested that the case should go to court and that Clare had clearly been discriminated against. However, Mrs. Duncan felt entirely different about the entire ordeal and took her opinion to the media.
Clare's Heartbreaking Tale
Mrs. Duncan’s View
Mrs. Duncan pointed out that Clare’s dress was riding up over the course of the evening and that even though it was of an appropriate length when she arrived, there were times when her dress was near exposing her butt. She insisted that the chaperones were not at all staring at any of the students and rather keeping an eye over the event and the 500 students in attendance.
Mrs. Duncan's View
Arguing Her Opinion
Clare insisted that a number of students broke the rules of the event during the prom and none of them had been escorted out as she was. She also insisted that a few chaperones had complained about her dancing, which verifies her opinion that they must have been watching her specifically.
Arguing Her Opinion
Picking Apart The Problem
Clare felt that the chaperones had body-shamed her for having a more mature body in comparison to other girls attending the event. She insisted that certain dresses will be slightly revealing and that the adults at the event who have a problem with this are “part of the problem.”
Picking Apart The Problem
Online Support
After sharing her story, Clare received tons of support from online followers on various social media platforms. Regardless, prom officials and chaperons did not attempt to reach out to her. Clares friends also never received the refunds they had requested either.
Online Support
Making A Difference
Clare stands by her story and insists that she was unfairly treated. She hoped that her effort of sharing her story will make something of a difference for other girls who may experience something similar in the future. It is by the fault of officials and the dress code standard details that the situation became incredibly upsetting, which is why Clare insists that both the dress requirements and the specifics of the event should be examined carefully to ensure other students won’t have to experience what she has in the future.
Making A Difference