MORP may just be Prom spelled backward, but for some people, it’s the best night of the year.
MORP is another one of Carlmont’s many dances that are held annually, and it just had its third year. However, they create a smaller environment to accommodate any student that doesn’t feel comfortable in the loud, crowded environment that most high school dances promise.
The event was held in the student union this year, which helped create a smaller environment with more adult supervision. There was music was playing, and the dance floor was filled with students from special education, ASB, and anyone else who wanted to join, all having a great time. This year, there was a carnival theme, and there was lots of fun food like cotton candy, popcorn, and burgers.
ASB’s Reach Out Commission planned the whole event, and it is their main event of the year.
“I think MORP benefits not only students in Social Academic Communication (SAC) classes but our campus as a whole,” said Darian Dennler, a senior. “I don’t like to see it as a distinction between two groups, and I think MORP is the opportunity to further build ties between groups on campus”
Emily Dugan, a SAC teacher for special education students notices the effects that the dance has on her students and the importance of this kind of environment.
“MORP is for people who may not fit that particular mold and who are just trying to find their place,” Dugan said. “This is for everyone, and I think it definitely benefits students who maybe don’t have the typical high school experience. MORP gives them that safe opportunity.”
For the students attending, this dance is often a highlight of the year. It is the perfect opportunity to have a fun night dancing with friends, eating good food, and having a generally good time.
“This may only be my second time going since I went last year, but it has just been very, very fun for me,” said Gabrielle Blatt, a sophomore. “I didn’t really know if I could find friends here, especially since I was very shy back then. I didn’t use to be as sociable as I am now, I just needed a little help to get here.”
MORP is an event that many students may not even know about, however for some, it is an important part of their high school experience.
“I think that we take for granted sometimes things like prom, football games, those are so quintessentially high school, but those are experiences that these students might not have, so MORP is all of those things in one,” Dugan said. “It gives them that sense of normalcy.”
