Debs disappointment for local students
IT is normally the season of glitzy gowns, show stopping shoes and dapper suits, but along with so many other events, debs parties all over the country have been put on ice due to Covid-19.
The debs has become a key event in the year’s social calendar with vast amounts of planning and preparation part and parcel of the big day. Parents, siblings, friends and neighbours usually arrive en masse to check out the style and wish the debs well when the class meets up prior to departure to their venue of choice.
Disappointment was palpable as the events loomed and cancellations were inevitable.
The Corkman chatted to some of this year’s debs who said there was widespread disappointment, and while some plan to reschedule, many agreed that this is normally a rite of passage that marks the end of secondary school life and that it’s not quite the same to get together at a later date.
Imogen Crowley who is one of six on the Coláiste Treasa Kanturk Debs Committee said that the cancellation of the debs has caused major upheaval.
“There are 120 in our class and it’s been really difficult trying to decide what to do” she said.
“We were really disappointed as it would have been our last party after what is normally a very stressful exam time, however the health of the nation is far more important than a Debs that can be held when a Vaccine is found.”
Like many of her friends, Imogen had bought her dress and the group had booked a Hotel and paid a deposit.
“For now it’s all up in the air about rescheduling, and this is much harder than we ever would have thought,” she said.
Meanwhile at Davis College, Mallow, Lynn Baker was one of the students organising this year’s debs.
“It’s been really hard because people in our class have been texting us to find out what’s happening and of course we have no answers at present, there is nothing we can do except wait,” she said.
“We have no date confirmed we’re waiting on the restrictions to be lifted enough for the Hotels to be able to accommodate us” she explained.
At Boherbue Comprehensive, Eimear Collins was one of many looking forward to the debs.
“We were all very disappointed when it was first cancelled, we were so looking forward to it as a final day out for our year. Luckily, I hadn’t bought my dress at that stage and once lockdown was announced I stalled a bit in case it was cancelled,” said Eimear.
“I hope it will be rescheduled for a later time when it is safe to do so, but I don’t think it will be the same as we will all have gone our separate ways