A Dream Come True

As the music gets louder and colorful lights dance around the room along with a lively crowd of students, this year’s prom at JA is one to remember.

With the end of school approaching and summer in sight, one of the most anticipated events of the year comes rolling around the corner for upperclassmen. Many students have imagined this day throughout high school and were excited to see it play out.

“I always dreamed about going to prom,” senior Sydney Duncan stated. “I had an older sibling so seeing her go to prom made me want to go even more.”

Being able to watch others enjoy prom can inspire some students to look forward to the journey ahead. Moreover, having friends with whom to share the memories can contribute to an overall prom experience.

“This prom is my first one, and I’ve always been excited because I got to see all of the previous upperclassmen go, and now it’s my turn,” shared junior Mckenna Adams. “A lot of people make a big deal about the dance itself, but I think one of the most important parts is just spending time with your friends.”

Whether it’s the first or final time attending prom, many students see it as an impactful event that will leave them with memories for years to come.

“I think senior prom is kind of like our last hurrah before we graduate,” senior Mikayla Pitts mentioned.

While some students were thrilled about going to prom and couldn’t wait for the events of the week to unfold, others were hesitant about what the night held in store.

“Throughout the week, I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go,” senior Sofia Meyer shared. “I then realized it could be super fun and I will totally go.”

With that being said, some students noted they view prom as a quintessential part of the high school experience and something people should make an effort to attend at least once.

“I think [prom] is a very classic, iconic thing,” junior Karma Berry declared, “whether you’re going with a date or you’re going with your friends to just have a fun night together.”

“[One of the most important parts of prom is] socializing and getting to spend time with your friends,” junior Liam Wall exclaimed.

The importance of prom can vary depending on the person, however many students agreed that the overall adventure was worth it.

“I think [prom] is a really significant thing for upperclassmen to do together,” junior Landen Lee stated. “Hanging out with friends, dressing nicely, suiting up; it’s all a really unforgettable experience.”

Furthermore, while there can be a lot of buildup leading to prom, students shared that not all aspects were how they had initially thought them to be. Despite this, the ups and downs of the night allowed students to create many new memories in unexpected ways.

“I would say that [prom] is different from what I heard about it, but it is still really good and is a part of the American high school experience,” Jakub Turczyk, a senior, elaborated. “Everyone gets really hyped about it.”

The hype around prom starts in the week leading up to prom, with several activities planned by the Student Council. Many students go to prom and only get to see the finished product; meanwhile others have the opportunity to view it in a new light as they put in a lot of time to plan and make it happen. This year’s prom was “Tangled” themed and had a lot of thought put into it behind the scenes.

“I’m on the decorating committee, so we talk about what we want, and set up the blueprints for everything,” senior Audrey Glasmann mentioned. “We then look at inspiration pictures and start shopping for the things we need.”

Other students in STUCO additionally laid the foundation for the dance, albeit with a few setbacks.

“At first [the planning process] was really slow,” junior Claire Pillow noted. “We had to work with a lot of logistics such as the lighting, where they are putting the food, and what drinks they are providing.”

Planning goes beyond the preparation of the venue as students begin to get ready for the event itself.

“I think getting ready for prom is different as a girl because you have a lot of things you have to do to prep yourself,” senior Kayla Edlund declared. “The most important part is just having fun with your friends and being safe.”

While getting ready for prom can have its exciting moments, the dance provides a lot of opportunities to enjoy the night without a lot of the stress that comes with daily life, particularly towards the end of the school year.

“This year I was a lot less self-conscious about dancing which made it more fun,” senior Eliot Lindberg said. “Last year at prom I didn’t have the best time because I was self-conscious. Worrying a lot less allowed me to have more fun.”

Letting go and just having fun can be a good way to unwind and focus on one of the main takeaways from prom: having fun.

“I felt really energetic throughout the whole thing, and I never got tired,” junior Hunter Hobbs said. “I was able to talk to everyone and the venue was really nice.”
At the end of the night, one of the most iconic events takes place as the prom king and queen get announced.

“At the beginning, I wasn’t really expecting [to win prom queen],” senior Evelyn Claeys declared. “We won homecoming king and queen, and in a lot of schools you’re not allowed to win both. It was really cool to win and I liked it a lot.”

The overall emotions that come with prom, along with the memories made along the way, create an unforgettable time that will leave students in awe as they remember the events from the night for years to come.

“[Winning prom king] was kind of euphoric in that it didn’t really feel like it was real,” senior Rylan Mills stated. “I thought I was dreaming when they announced our names.”