Never assume, but carry on

Everyone hates to admit mistakes. Journalists publish their mistakes in the form of corrections, but usually the next day in a small section of an inside page with a header something like 'corrections' or 'we got it wrong.' As ethical storytellers we have to eat our lunch with folks we wronged by publishing misinformation.

Most of my colleagues, despite popular belief in this age of fake news rhetoric, take their mistakes to heart and crucify themselves.

Earlier tonight I made an assumption instead of getting the facts. Through lack of proper preparation, I wandered into the park in Franklin and simply assumed the people posing for pictures in Fountain Park where Franklin kids headed to Franklin's prom. The only problem was Franklin, unbeknownst to me had postponed their prom a night. I also was unaware that folks from Cranberry and Oil City would venture to Franklin for pre-prom photos.

I'm not sure why,,, I mean the park is beautifu,l but I would think someplace in Oil City or Cranberry would be more meaningful. 

But that is me deflecting. The fact is I posted a photo earlier where I said Franklin students get ready for their prom on a chilly night. I assumed. I did not ask and therefore was completely wrong.

Journalism 101. FAILED! I blame COVID!

Anyway once I got it all settled out, I found myself up behind Oil City High School where there was a giant white tent set up and inside were a bunch of hopping teens dancing to a bunch of music I'm too old to understand.

I immediately saw the principal who requested I be very aware that the rules for this prom requires the students wear their mask. No problem.

You try dancing without your mask falling.

I made photos and the more I looked at my images someone was always trying to pull their mask back up into place.

These are young people trying to have a good time. All winter and spring I've photographed sporting events where masks were under chins. Those events went on. So why not the rite of passage that comes with a prom?

I ended up tossing my best photos from the night because it is simply impossible to keep a secure mask while having fun dancing. Even I had to drop my mask below my nose (I'm fully vaccinated) because my damn glasses were fogging up so much I couldn't see. So i kept my distance and hotgraphed with a long lens as best I could.

The prom king was Lorin DeGroat and the queen was Jenna Fischli.

Other than the masks and the pumped in heat, this prom had many of the same features as any other, dancing, music old people don't get, not enough light to make really easy photos and a chance for teenagers to be teenagers.

Franklin's prom is scheduled for tonight outside next to the football stadium.