Setting: A school auditorium filled with students. Mr.
Johnson, the
school head, is standing on the stage, ready to deliver the bad
news.]
Mr. Johnson:
"Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for being here today. I’d like to
start by recognizing how much enthusiasm and anticipation you’ve
had for our upcoming event. Prom has been a highlight of the school
year, a night to celebrate, unwind, and make lifelong memories.
Unfortunately, I have some difficult news to share with you."
After careful consideration and because of factors not in our control,
we have no choice but to cancel this year's prom. I know that this is
disappointing, frustrating, and even unfair to many of you. Believe
me, this choice was not made lightly."
[Murmurs of disappointment and shock circulate through the crowd.
Some students loudly protest.]
Student 1:
"Are you kidding me? We've been planning this for months!"
Student 2:
"No, this isn't fair! Why is this happening?"
Mr. Johnson:
"I understand your frustration, and I'm hearing you. I really am. We
pursued every option to find alternatives, but certain barriers—
whether they be logistical, budgetary, or safety-oriented—prohibited
us from moving forward."
But I do not want this moment to define our year. Instead, I want to
work with you to find an alternative approach to celebration and
collective memory. Our student council and administration have
already started thinking of other possibilities, and we want to hear
from you. We want to find a way of making up for this loss in a way
that still brings us together."
Student 3:
"But why could we not have been informed before? It's as if no one
cares what we want!"
Mr. Johnson:
"I completely understand why you're angry. The truth is, we were
behind the scenes, attempting every solution in the book before
bringing you this news. Our goal was to make prom work, not cancel
it. And just because it can't work the way it was intended doesn't
mean we don't care. In fact, it's because we care that we're seeking
another way that will work for everyone."
[The students begin to calm down somewhat, still upset but more
willing to listen.]
Student 4:
"So what now? Are we supposed to just accept this?" Mr. Johnson: "I
am not going to ask you to receive it without emotion. Your emotions
are valid. What I am going to ask is that we don’t allow this
disappointment to be entirely negative. Let’s take this frustration
and turn it into solution mode. Let’s figure out a way to still
celebrate in a different manner. I’m challenging all of you to be part
of that conversation." I understand that this news is hard to hear,
and I respect the emotions in this room. But I also believe in this
school and in every single one of you. We will get through this
together. Thank you for listening." [The room is still tense, but the
students are beginning to shift from anger to discussion, murmuring
amongst themselves about potential options.]
GROUP 4
Setting: A school auditorium filled with students. Mr. Johnson, the school
head, is standing on the stage, ready to deliver the bad news.]
Senator:
“Good afternoon, everyone. Thanks for being here today. I’d like to start
by recognizing how much enthusiasm and anticipation you’ve had for our
upcoming event. Prom has been a highlight of the school year, a night to
celebrate, unwind, and make lifelong memories. Unfortunately, I have
some difficult news to share with you.”
After careful consideration and because of factors not in our control, we
have no choice but to cancel this year’s prom. I know that this is
disappointing, frustrating, and even unfair to many of you. Believe me,
this choice was not made lightly.”
[Murmurs of disappointment and shock circulate through the crowd. Some
students loudly protest.]
Student 1:
“Are you kidding me? We’ve been planning this for months!”
Student 2:
“No, this isn’t fair! Why is this happening? I just had my dress
fitting,what?”
Senator:
“I understand your frustration, and I’m hearing you. I really am. We
pursued every option to find alternatives, but certain barriers-meaning the
sudden outbreak of tuberculosis which is spreading quite fast.
But I do not want this moment to define our year. Instead, I want to work
with you to find an alternative date to celebration and collective memory.
Our student council and administration have already started thinking of
other possibilities, and we want to hear from you. We want to find a way
of making up for this loss in a way that still brings us together.”
Student 3:
“But why could we not have been informed before? It’s as if no one cares
what we want!”
Senator:
“I completely understand why you’re angry. The truth is, we were behind
the scenes, attempting every solution in the book before bringing you this
news. Our goal was to make prom work, not cancel it. And just because it
can’t work the way it was intended doesn’t mean we don’t care. In fact,
it’s because we care for your well being and safety that we’re seeking
another way that will work for everyone.”
[The students begin to calm down somewhat, still upset but more willing
to listen.]
Student 4:
“So what now? Are we supposed to just accept this? “ There is no way
guys.”
Senator: “I am not going to ask you to receive it without emotion. Your
emotions are valid. What I am going to ask is that we don’t allow this
disappointment to be entirely negative. Let’s take this frustration and turn
it into solution mode. Let’s figure out a way to still celebrate in a different
manner. I’m challenging all of you to be part of that conversation.” I
understand that this news is hard to hear, and I respect the emotions in
this room. But I also believe in this school and in every single one of you.
We will get through this together. Thank you for listening.” [The room is
still tense, but the students are beginning to shift from anger to
discussion, murmuring amongst themselves about potential options.]