An effort by four friends at Wilcox County High School in South Georgia to hold an integrated prom has sparked a national outcry over segregated proms. But these proms are private events, remnants of the tensions surrounding integration. I talk to two districts about how they ended the "tradition" in their towns. Readers offer their views. In a guest column, an educator addresses the widely held contention that a college degree isn't necessary for all kids, recalling that we once said the same thing about a high school diploma.

Ending segregated prom

Changing traditions by Maureen Downey

Guest columnist:

College offers route to power, future by Dhathri Chunduru

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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