Luka Hayes, 21st Century Journalism student, asked questions to Wendi Pratt, the Junior Class Sponsor and middle and high school counselor, Nicolas Owen, the principal, and Martha Lewis, the after prom coordinator about prom. Below are the questions and what Pratt, Owen, and Lewis had to say.
How long will/did it take to decorate?
The juniors started working on decorations about 2 weeks before prom this year. Each year we add some new decorations to match the theme, but I am always very impressed with how our students find ways to repurpose and reuse things we already have in the prom closet. It takes a lot of creativity and a lot of time, and this group found some things I hadn't even noticed before. It's going to be a lot of fun to see it all come together!
On the Friday before prom, right after school, the junior class will start moving decorations from the stage/ag shop to the high school commons. It is anyone's guess how long that will take, but it is always my hope that we will have a good turn out and that we will all be home in time to get a good night's sleep. In the years when only a few students could make it on Friday, we've had to come back on Saturday morning to finish things up. We always take a break for pizza around dinner time and provide water and Gatorade. We have a good time, but it's a lot of work, and everyone works better when they're fed and hydrated. I always come back to school Saturday morning to do finishing touches and try to add one thing the juniors don't know about, so they don't see it fully finished until they walk in on prom night. They work so hard, and it's always fun to see their reaction when they see it completely finished for the first time.
What time will everything start?
We will begin the prom festivities in the park at 6:00 pm. We moved promenade to the park in 2020 during COVID and found that it worked great for everyone. The students usually meet at the park with their families and friends to take pictures, so they're already there, and the entire community comes out to see them introduced on the stage.
After promenade the students will head to the school for the dinner in the middle school gym for the prom dinner provided by our culinary students. This is a tradition that many of our alumni talk about being one of their favorite memories about prom, and we are so excited to bring it back. The culinary students do a great job, and I love that they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned in class. One of the most anticipated moments of the evening, the crowning of our prom king and queen, will now take place at the dinner. In the past we have done the crowning at the end of prom and have felt rushed to get a picture for the yearbook and do the king and queen dance. Now we will have plenty of time for those things and our king and queen will be able to wear their crowns for the entire evening.
The dance will begin at the conclusion of the dinner, most likely around 8:00. It will look different this year because students will be coming from the middle school instead of entering from the outside, and we have some fun stuff planned to build the anticipation as they get closer to the commons. The dance ends at 11:00 and after prom begins at 11:30 at the school. Last year we opened up the locker rooms and students changed at school, and I think that is the plan again this year.
What will happen at prom?
In regards to what will occur at prom, this will be when the bequeathments will be done as well as voting for homecoming king and queen.
What is on the menu for the dinner?
Caesar salad
chicken breast in mushroom, white wine cream sauce
green beans almondine
roasted herbed potatoes
French bread
Texas Chocolate Sheet cake
The planners for the meal are the Culinary arts 3 students, Culinary Essentials, and Culinary 1 are helping with production. Service is being provided by 8th grade volunteers.
Is there a theme for food/decor for the dinner?
The theme for the evening is “Enchanted Forest.”
Is bringing desserts/food allowed?
The culinary class will provide food for the dinner, and juniors provide snacks for prom, but we will not turn away donations
Are students allowed to bring outside dates?
Students can bring outside dates. They will need to let us know their name and school when they buy their prom tickets.
Will we have a DJ?
Jed Smith will be our DJ again this year. He is a Solomon alum and always does a great job!
When is after prom?
Begins at 11:30 After Prom is for students to attend after they have attended prom.
Where is after prom?
At the school
What can be expected from after prom?
I’m very excited for after prom this year! We got two bounce houses, one of them is an obstacle course and the other one has slides attached. We’ve got got games to set up, but I’m most excited about the Saran Wrap ball game! We’ve got about $400 cash, phone accessories, candy, Sonic coupons, and other random items. We’ve got cash prizes for seniors and then we had so many last minute donations that we’re doing a prize giveaway for all Solomon juniors and seniors. As far as changing, Mrs Pratt told me they will have lockers rooms open for students to change and possibly being able to run home.
Canva created by Luka Hayes