by Chloe Jordan | feature editor
In anticipation of prom, students busily prepare for the fateful day of March 26. Girls buy dresses and coordinate friend groups, while boys reserve dinners and purchase corsages. Nonetheless, nobody isn’t busy leading up to prom.
“I think we’re so fortunate to have prom and everything, despite COVID. I feel like it’s gotten a little bit better so we can have it and it’s pretty exciting to know that we can have it,” senior Sophia Saa said. “Other classes before us, maybe two classes before us, didn’t really have that experience, so it’s kind of nice to have that normalcy.”
Saa plans to go with a group of friends, leaving plenty of time for a relaxing dinner beforehand and making a quick stop for dessert after the dance.
“I feel like it’s a cool experience to have. The fact that we’re able to experience that after school, and I feel like you can’t really pass up that offer, you know what I mean?” Saa said. “People talk about it and it’s so overhyped for years. Parents talk about it, and I feel like it’s something and feel like it’s going to be really cool for us to experience in this day and age.”
Saa describes prom as a celebration for graduating seniors, noting that it contributes to the energy of everyone at prom, making it all the more enjoyable.
“I think it’s fun. I feel like people sometimes make it out to be cheesy or this thing like ‘oh, I’m too cool for school and I don’t need to go to prom’, but I feel like it’s something that everyone should experience and have a fun time,” Saa said. “It’s an opportunity that the school is offering you to go have fun with your friends in an open space. It’s something that is very hyped up, and I feel like it should be.”
The enchanted forest theme is applauded by many students, including Saa, who believes it is unique and will allow for a colorful evening. Saa has already purchased a dress she feels is fitting.
“For prom dress shopping, you have to start so early in advance, because every place gets so booked and busy, so a lot of people started getting their dresses, even if they still get them now, I feel like a lot of people started at the beginning of the year,” Saa said.
Senior Jesiah Valencia Duenez joins Saa in agreement that prom is a timeless activity that students today still look forward to.
“Yes, my sister [went to prom]. I was really young, but I remember she was really excited and I got to go see her take all her pictures, and that was really nice, when they pick the setting and everything, so it looks really fun,” Duenez said. “I’m excited to do that with all my friends and everyone.”
For Duenez, the fun is in the friend group. She believes a good evening lies in the people surrounding those at prom.
“I feel like it depends on the crowd you go with. If you’re going to go with a good group of friends that know how to have a good time in the right way, then it should be fun,” Duenez said. “Also, the theme, though. Because there’s some themes that are a little questionable. I think it’s really good and a lot of people like it, so I’m excited for it.”
Along with the theme’s factor on how students dress, Duenez has hope for its influence in the decorations.
“I feel like it’s going to be good. I’m excited to see the decorations and how it’s going to look, because it’s at the J.W. Marriott. It’s going to be good – it has to be.”
Although she is excited for the night itself, Duenez recognizes the extensive preparations students have to make.
“It’s really a thought process to think out and act on, but it’s the same as everyone else – I’m just ready to get there,” Duenez said.
Senior Reem Taha agrees with Saa and Duenez that prom is an important tradition for high schoolers.
“You can’t really say you went to high school without going to prom. So I feel like it’s a looked up to part of high school,” Taha said. “I have trust in Mr. F that he’s going to make it a fun night and worthwhile.”
Both Johnson and Reagan are having prom on the same night, and Taha understands the complications that brings.
“It’s the same night, but in a different place. So, it’s going to be double everything. Everything is going to be double booked. It’s actually crazy.”
All in all, many students look forward to this prom specifically, after a long couple of years.
“I feel like it’s going to be one for the books,” Saa said.
