BY KAREN SUROS
As a kid, every movie or show Generation Z watched revolving around high school included a prom. Among one of the most iconic televised proms is the night to remember in the movie “High School Musical,” complete with song and dance. Watching the characters have the time of their lives is enough to make one begin planning their own prom experiences at the ripe age of seven.
Despite the pandemic and against all odds, CCHS seniors will have their own night to remember at prom on Saturday, May 22, from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the school’s courtyard. This year’s theme is “A Night Under the Stars” and the dress code is semi-formal wear and above.
“A lot of other schools aren’t really getting this opportunity to have this prom and we are so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to be able to have it even if it’s on campus and even if it’s outside,” Class of 2021 President Victoria Pera said. “I know it’s not entirely what we wanted but it’s what we can get especially during these times and I think we should take advantage of it.”
Tickets were sold at an “early-bird” price of $70 until April 12. Now, they are being sold for $85 and can be purchased through the CCHS Online School Payments (OSP) E-Store or by turning in cash or a check during A and B lunches and after school on select dates. Ticket sales end April 19.
“I feel like a lot of people have the assumption they have to stay in this little square and they can’t really talk to their friends or dance with them,” Pera said. “But you’re actually going to be in a little group or pod and that’s going to be how we coordinate to make sure people stay as socially distanced as possible.”
In order to attend prom and purchase a ticket, senior students must complete the prom permission form available on the CCHS Student Info Canvas page. Seniors can invite underclassmen as their dates or accompaniments to prom as long as they fill out the form specifically for underclassmen in addition to purchasing the additional ticket.
“I know it’s not entirely what we wanted but it’s what we can get especially during these times and I think we should take advantage of it.”
Class of 2021 President Victoria Pera
Although prom is happening, it is not without its troubles. Normally, senior class officers organize the event on their own, but due to more obstacles created by the pandemic and subsequent restrictions put in place by the district, planning was more complicated this year and Student Government Association (SGA) officers stepped in to help.
“We ran into some difficulties because of all of the rules and regulations to work around, but we worked through it,” senior and SGA President Emily Aaron said.
These restrictions prevent the prom from occurring at a venue outside of the school, like in normal years. They also prevent seniors from being allowed to bring students from other schools as their dates; this year’s prom is exclusive to CCHS students. These restrictions have led to some backlash from the Class of 2021.
“A lot of the rules we ha[ve] to follow have made the idea of a traditional prom more difficult or even impossible, so we had to improvise,” senior and SGA Second Vice President Drew Okun said. “It’s also hard to hear the negative feedback when we are putting so much effort, but you can never please everybody.”
Despite the challenges they have faced, SGA officers coordinated with the senior class officers and class sponsor Nicole Hicks in order to give Class of 2021 the best prom possible within the circumstances.
“I want students to know that going into it, it will not be the same as prom from any other year,” Okun said. “It will be different, but it will be a good, fun night surrounded by people you love!”
“It will be different, but it will be a good, fun night surrounded by people you love!”
Senior and SGA Second Vice President Drew Okun
Seniors are encouraged to attend the prom to make the most of the year. Although the pandemic has made some things disappointing, not everything has to be a loss.
“We want to make everyone satisfied and happy and truly just make this a celebration of our class a whole,” senior and SGA Treasurer Brooke Bartel said. “Over 200 students have already bought their tickets and we can’t wait to see everyone there! Make sure to buy your tickets and fill out all the paperwork on the Canvas page!”
In addition to prom, seniors will have plenty of other opportunities to make the most of what’s left of their high school career, including a barbecue, in-person graduation and a car parade. The class officers and SGA have worked hard to give the Class of 2021 their own night to remember—it would be a shame to miss out.
Photo courtesy of the CCHS Class of 2021 on Instagram
