Principal forces girl to dance with boy, comes under fire

A Utah middle school principal has come under criticism. for telling a sixth-grade girl to dance with a boy on Valentine’s Day despite the girl’s objections. Azlyn Hobson, a student at Rich Middle School, was at the dance on Feb. 14 when she turned down the boy. According to her mother, she had wanted to dance with someone specific. The school’s principal, Kip Motta, allegedly told Azlyn that she had to dance with the boy whom she rejected. Azlyn unwillingly obeyed but admitted that the experience was painful. Her mother then emailed Motta, writing, "She ALWAYS has the right to say no". According to Hobson, the principal replied that the sixth grader should have raised her concerns about the boy before the dance. He also allegedly told the girl’s parents that they could have removed their daughter from the dance altogether. Hobson says that would be problematic as her daughter loves school dances other than this one occasion. Motta told the Salt Lake Tribune, "We believe that all children should be included in activities... The reason for the policy as we have had it (in the) past is to make sure no kids feel like they get left out". Motta now says that he and the superintendent will review the school’s policy in regards to conduct at dances