Breathalyzer tests determining alcohol use will be administered to all students attending the fall homecoming dance Saturday, Oct. 6.
Principal John Kellogg said the main goal of the breathalyzers, which were first used at the 2007 prom, will be to ensure the safety and well being of the students.
“The alcohol incidents really need to end,” Kellogg said.
Kellogg said that the success of the use of breathalyzers at prom influenced the decision to use them again at homecoming.
Last year’s prom was the first in five years with no alcohol related incidents, Kellogg said.
If a student registers at all on the breathalyzer, the administration will perform other tests to make sure it is not a false reading, Kellogg said.
Kellogg added that known staff members will administer the tests to make the students comfortable.
Homecoming chair, junior Amanda Pierce, explained that the homecoming committee did not have anything to do with the decision to use breathalyzers.
“I would hope that the administration wouldn’t feel the need [to use breathalyzers], but I guess they obviously did,” Pierce said.
Pierce said she does not think the administration of breathalyzers will hurt the overall attendance at the dance.
Kellogg agrees with Pierce.
“I think the student body will respond in a positive fashion,” Kellogg said.