School Dances Cancelled At Gorham High School Due To Grinding

Gorham High School in Maine will not hold any school dances this year, besides prom, due to sexually suggestive dance moves, such as grinding.

In a letter sent home to parents, Gorham High School Principal Chris Record says,

Dances during 2013-14, despite the sincere efforts of the GHS administrators and chaperones, continued to be plagued by the culture of grinding.

Record also cites an incident from last years Homecoming Dance in the letter:

The Homecoming Dance was held on 9/20/14.  The recommendations made by School Council were implemented.  During the dance, it was announced as a reminder that grinding was not allowed.  This led to a walk-out of two-thirds of the students in attendance.  The following week, GHS was disrupted by an uprising of sorts by the seniors and juniors, demanding that grinding should be allowed.  In fact, the story of the walk-out was utilized by radio station 97.9 to drive up their ratings all week (one of 97.9’s DJs had been the DJ at the dance).  Some GHS students were invited on air to speak about the situation.  This was a difficult time for our school culture, as GHS administration was being vilified by students, some parents, and on the radio airwaves.

Instead of dances the school will hold other social events, such as bonfires.