After the growing controversy over comedian Dan Nainan’s presentation at the Paly International Festival, students and teachers now wonder what PTSA’s thoughts and possible further response could entail. PTSA President, Preeva Tramiel explains the planning and reactions of the PTSA.

May 10, 2007:

Voice Reporter: What were the opinions of the board members as to
the appropriateness of the comedian’s speech?

Tramiel: Remember, most of the board was not at the assembly they were outside getting the food ready. The board members that were there thought he was fine. I personally thought that Dan Nainan was funny. I may be too close to comedians, I do stand up myself, and I know how hard it is to hit the right note with a crowd. I also feel that if you make fun of a racial group you are part of, it is okay.

After the Festival, I directed a few of the board members to the comedian’s website where they could watch his routine. Their opinion was mixed. Some of us thought his routine a little too relaxed and mature for high schoolers.

Voice: What decisions were made with this issue?

Tramiel: Before the festival, we (the principal, myself, and the chair of the international festival) decided that we should have an engaging and entertaining speaker to follow a serious speaker. Then we looked for someone who could be entertaining and engaging. It turned out to be [more] difficult than we thought [it would be.]

If you are asking what decisions we have made as a result of the controversy, now, everyone thinks that hiring a comedian is a bad idea. I, personally, believe that a conversation before the assembly between the keynote speakers, the principal and the Masters of Ceremony will prevent future problems.

Voice: What plans does Paly have for next year?

Tramiel: The International Festival is a bi-yearly event, and there is a committee in formation to plan 2009’s festival. Next year, the committee should start looking for keynote speakers a year in advance, because they are not easy to find. We asked ten people to be keynote speakers, and none of them could make it. Paly Global took place during the Stanford spring break, which might have been the difficulty, but I don’t know.