Will NKHS’ Homecoming Come to a ‘Grinding’ Halt?

Earlier this month, Middletown High School’s homecoming dance was cut short after students protested the school’s policy prohibiting sexually explicit dancing, also known as grinding. Students sat on the floor and chanted profanity in protest after the DJ refused to play songs requested by students.

Before Middletown became a scene ripped from Footloose, North Kingstown High School instituted a “dirty dancing” policy last school year. (Read the policy here.) In light of what happened in Middletown, school administrators are looking to avoid a repeat when NK holds its homecoming dance this Saturday.

“I didn’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction and cancel any activities based on other communities,” said NKHS Principal Thomas Kenworthy. “A lot of eyes are going to be on us since we have a late homecoming and with these recent events.

Last week, the school held an assembly for its seniors addressing the issue. Kenworthy says he hopes the seniors will lead by example.

As for the students, they’re hoping for a better homecoming last year. According to several students, last year’s homecoming (the first dance after the institution of NKHS’ new dancing policy) left a sour taste in their mouths.

“[The school] is kind of treating us like we’re younger than we are,” said NKHS student Nicholas Gartland. “The had the lights on and about 30 teachers walking around staring us down.”

With the new policy, several dance events at the school were nixed last year – including the popular Pulse and Blackout dances. According to student Sarah Kervin, the junior class is losing revenue generated from these dances as well.

“I feel like last year ruined it,” said Kervin. “No one wants to go to these dances because it’s not fun anymore.”

NKHS’ dancing policy prohibits “sexually suggestive/explicit dancing,” including dance moves that involve “intimate touching of the breasts, buttocks or genitals that simulates sexual activity.”