Controversy over having prom at SeaWorld, the benefits and drawbacks of having more late starts, and ways in which underclassmen will be able to carry on the SDA culture in the coming years were discussed by a group of about 80 students gathered at The Forum on Oct. 17. About 20 underclassmen and first-time attendees were applauded by Forum veterans Thursday at lunch.

A new controversy surrounding the location of this year’s prom was brought to the attention of the Forum by Junior Director Bo Templin. A new documentary called “Blackfish,” which sheds light on mistreatment of marine animals at parks like SeaWorld, has caused some students to consider boycotting prom, he said. According to Templin, changing the location of prom is possible, but difficult and expensive. A deposit of$3.500  has already been put down and a date has been set for the dance, said Kennedy Anderson, a junior director.

The students at the Forum discussed possible solutions to the problem, including holding fundraisers for marine wildlife or even donating part of the ticket proceeds to such a cause. However, ASB members confirmed that any money deposited into the ASB account cannot be used to fund anything unrelated to SDA. Additionally, students noted that it would be unethical to make students donate to a cause in the form of buying a prom ticket.

A second possibility was switching with La Costa Canyon for their date and venue: Petco Park. Forum attendees seemed enthusiastic about a prom at Petco Park, but Templin pointed out that a switch to this venue would be reflected in higher ticket prices.

The balance between late starts and hour lunches this year has been a divisive issue among students. The Forum addressed that teachers need the time to transition to the new Common Core curriculum, but the transition could take anywhere from three to five years, according to Assistant Principal Doug Kamon. Students weighed the value of more sleep against the extra time at lunch, along with the fact that more late starts make for a more irregular schedule. Senior Kirsten Walz pointed out that students value hour lunch because it is unique to SDA.

When a vote was taken, 42 students said they were content with the current number of late starts, whereas 37 students wished they had the hour lunches back. When the idea to have an earlier late start but keep hour lunch, which hasn’t been done since 2011, was proposed, an overwhelming majority of students voiced their support.

As usual, the matter of keeping SDA’s spirit alive was also brought up at this Forum. In particular, students discussed the perhaps dying tradition of dressing up—for homecoming week or just for fun.

“It’s LCC here,” said physics teacher George Stimson on the lack of unusual daily attire at school.  Students at the Forum encouraged each other to participate in homecoming week, Fancy Fridays, and Halloween.

However, “there shouldn’t be any shame in not dressing up on these days,” said senior Serena Saake.

In other news, ASB and the Mosaic announced their plans for events on Halloween, which include the traditional costume contest along with pumpkin carving and a Haunted Art Gallery.