A revised prom attire dress code will be enforced this year at Mt. Pleasant Area Junior-Senior High School. Kenneth Williams, the school's principal, noted that the revisions were made based on administrators and prom sponsors noticing a trend in “pushing the limitsâ€? related to fashion and dress code during the past few years. “Our responsibility as educators and trusted adults is to be sure prom is a dignified, elegant and tasteful experience for everyone involved,â€? Williams said. “There is a fine line between being refined and elegant as opposed to inappropriate for a high school event.â€? The revised guidelines are posted on the school's website. In addition, details of the revisions have been announced during morning announcements and will be distributed to students when they pick up their registration forms to buy prom tickets, Williams said. He added that, as always, teacher chaperones will be on hand to help organize the students and assist with any last minute adjustments for the event's “Grand Marchâ€? segment. Any student wearing attire deemed inappropriate will not be able to take part in the keynote procession, Williams said. “We are asking students to respect the fact that reasonable standards must be met,â€? Williams said. “There is still plenty of latitude in being able to express yourself, look elegant and still maintain a proper sense of decorum for a formal event.â€? Linda Mondock, a district prom sponsor since 2002, has noticed a progressive change to gowns with more and more cutouts and generally less coverage through the years, she said. As she looks at the photographs from years past, she added that the changes she sees are dramatic. “This year the two-piece gown takes exposure to new levels,â€? Mondock said. Although some of them are gorgeous and tasteful, she said, “how much is too much midriff showing? Two inches, 4 inches … 6 inches?â€? “Should caretakers of prom be expected to walk around with a ruler in hand measuring the midriff of students?â€? Mondock asked. Williams said any student with questions on their prom gown choice should speak to Mondock or any other sponsor before purchasing her gown to avoid issues on prom night. Williams said administrators, along with prom committee members discussed the new guidelines before th ey were finalized. “I would like to see our young ladies in beautiful, elegant styles accompanied by handsome gentlemen in black-tie attire,â€? Mondock said. She said she loves decorating the auditorium and gymnasium with students. “For me, it's like planning a big event, like a wedding every year,â€? Mondock said. “The best part is watching them walk to the front of the stage dressed in their finest and watching their parents and relatives proudly snap pictures.â€? The prom 2015 dress code states the following: • Prom dresses/gowns shall not be two-pieces unless when worn as intended or designed fully covers the midriff or a mesh panel, which is not of a see-through variety is in place; • Prom attire shall not have “cut outsâ€? of the sides or belly, unless the cut out sections contain a mesh panel that is not see through; • Plunging neck or waist lines resulting in overexposure or extreme slits in the thigh are prohibited; • Slits in dresses/gowns shall be no further up the thigh than fingertip length when the arms are held to the side; • Dresses/gowns should also be of adequate length as to maintain full coverage when bending or kneeling to prevent overexposure or an embarrassing situation. The guidelines also state male students attending must wear their shirts at all times, but are permitted to remove their coats and vests following dinner. “There's a fine line between appropriate and inappropriate,â€? said Toni Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, whose daughter, Eboni, attends the school. “Some of the new rules seem a little extreme. It's a shame that over the years some have gone overboard, and these students are paying the price.â€? Although Wilson is unsure Eboni will be attending prom, she said she always chooses conservative styles. The school hosted a prom fashion show recently, which showcased appropriate attire with students as models. Kailee Gamrat, 17, modeled a pink ball gown style. She said she “is not a ball gown-type person.â€? She said the prom dress she chose for this year has a sheer panel on top that blends in with her skin tone, and is form fitting and flowing at the bottom. Gamrat said she will modify it by applying beading to the sheer panel to comply with the new prom attire guidelines. Emily Rose, 18, modeled her gown from last year. “I'm thankful for all of the organizations that donated to the fashion show to make it a success.â€? said Lauren Czerniak, 18. Kelly Vernon is a staff writer with Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-547-5722 or kvernon@tribweb.com. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.