Cutting Class Benefits US Troops as High School Students Vie for Prom Spot

Students barred from prom because of attendance woes redeem their chances by helping U.S. troops

Cutting class at a South Philadelphia high school has ended up benefitting U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan.

Nearly half of the juniors and seniors at South Philadelphia High School had their prom privileges revoked because they had cut class 20 times or more over the school year. But the students had the chance to earn back a spot at the prom by putting together a USO care package and writing a letter to a troop for every 20 times they’ve cut.

With the big event quickly approaching and deadline over, school officials tell NBC10.com that 54 students are back on the prom list after making 130 care packages. Each contains beef jerky, nuts, sunflower seeds, granola bars, Crystal Light single water flavoring packs and lip balm.

Service members assigned to the Liberty USO stopped by the school at 13th Street and Snyder Avenue on Friday to pick up the packages.

The school’s prom will take place on June 6 at the Doubletree by Hilton at Broad and Locust Streets with dozens more attendees.

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