Many junior students have been looking forward to the prom for a long time. As the event looms closer, preparations have begun among both students and administration.
Ticket sales started on 24 February. The sale drew a large line before and after school each day, with tickets being sold out by the end of the week.
“It was kind of crazy. It usually is crazy.” said Melissa Blevins, one of the junior class advisers and a prom organizer.
A major aspect of how ticket sales functioned was the limited number of tickets. “It’s really based on the venue, and the capacity of the room,” Blevins explained. “So we had to kind of adjust for that based on the amount of adults that need to be in the room,” she explained. “So, we had a waiting list, and that’s never actually happened before.” This limit caused frustration, but it turned out okay. “In the end we were able to make it so everybody could go thanks to the venue making some concessions, moving some things around.”
Outside of ticket sales, the administrators, especially the junior class advisors, have been working hard to ensure the event has everything it needs. According to Blevins, the process starts at the beginning of the year. “We had to submit a deposit to hold our date, then we fundraised at the beginning to defray some of the costs.” she explained. “We secured the DJs. We talked to Milan Rose, who’s our photographer.” After these things are secured, the process is largely paused. Blevins said, “We don’t really deal with the prom stuff, like the nitty gritty of it, until right after the new year when we come back.”
The processes after the new year start shortly before the ticket sales, with forms being sent out to families. “There’s all this paperwork that we have to send home to families, so that they know they need a permission slip,” Blevins explains. “They need to know all of the events. They need to know how much it costs, when things are due, all this stuff.”
Now that ticket sales have ended, the final touches are being made. “We’ve gone to the venue with the executive board so that they could see the place. We’ve solidified our menu as we have to make sure that there are allergy friendly options,” Blevins explains. “We’re now to the place where we have to work on table arrangements, and that takes up a lot of our time,” she explains. “But that’s why we ask students to submit table sign-up forms with who they want to sit with,” she explains. “We have to work our magic and try to make it so that we have as many tables of 12 as possible so we can fit all of these kids into the room.”
Though most of the preparatory responsibilities belong to the junior class advisers, the larger administration does support the process of making the event run as smoothly as possible. “They basically just ensure their presence there, bag checks, all that stuff when they’re there,” Blevins explains.
In addition to administrative preparations, students are preparing for the prom as well.
“I’m figuring out who’s sitting at my table, and I’m looking if I have any suits I’m gonna wear,” said junior Julian Moreno-Vega.
“I’m getting a dress,” said Andrea Hasting.
“I’m just planning on looking stylish and clean,” said Davian Reyes
Some students are deciding not to go to the prom.
“I don’t have any money,” said Stefania Yankowski.
“I’m busy every Friday,” said Jozsef Hilbert.
The much-anticipated prom will take place on Friday April 10. From the looks of it, everything is set to ensure an enjoyable night.
