By Nicholas Block
Staff Writer
The anticipation leading up to that one special night on which high school students wear colorful gowns and fancy tuxedos, rent limousines that provide a fashionable entrance, stay up all night, and pose for some of the most memorable photos in their lives, is about to end.
Mira Costa student government will be hosting this year’s Prom at the California Science Center on June 2 at 7:30 pm.
“I believe that prom is a good social event because it gives people an excuse to ask someone out if they are shy,” senior Austin Harding said. “Prom also allows me to dress with as much class as I want without getting weird looks.”
Prom, short for “promenade,” was originally an exclusive upper-class co-ed banquet. Historians believe that proms started in colleges in the late 1800s despite the fact that yearbooks only began to be published in the 1930s.
“Prom is the one event that every single ASB student is always excited about working on,” Costa Activities Director Lisa Claypool said.
In early times, Prom was just another junior and senior class dance, certainly not the “larger-than-life” event that it is for present-day high school students. In the 1950s, however, Prom started to evolve into the elaborate celebration that it is today.
“Prom is very different now than it was when it first began,” Harding said. “I feel like it is more casual.”
With the post-war economy came a transition in the setting of proms. Instead of high school gyms, proms were moved to country clubs and hotel ballrooms. In 1960, President Kennedy decided to move the time of his fund-raiser to allow a local school prom to take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. In 1975, President Henry Ford allowed Susan, his daughter, to have her prom at the White House.
“We have some great plans in terms of the theme, and the California Science Center is a perfect location,” Claypool said.
In addition to the more elaborate event that Prom has become, it has undergone cultural changes. In 1979, the first same-sex couple attended a prom in South Dakota; in 1994, a principal in Alabama was sued for threatening to cancel the event after learning that interracial couples would be attending. Today, proms are open to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual preference.
“There is a really intriguing atmosphere at Prom,” senior Lily Granados said. “It will really be what you make it.”
As proms have became more elaborate, their activities also have grown. Teens now compete for the best-looking date, best form of transportation, and best attire. The “Prom Queen” and “Prom King,” voted by their fellow students, have become the most prestigious awards given at the events.
“I am excited to see who will be nominated for Prom Court,” senior Kathryn Di Rado said. “It is so cool how even today, we still nominate Prom kings and queens. It is a tradition that I hope future generations continue.”
People continue to find increasingly innovative ways to ask one another to the Prom. Students have created enormous banners, bought expensive bouquets of their favorite flowers, and even gotten help from other students.
“I asked my date to prom by holding up a huge sign on top of the Costa Band Hall, so yeah, I’d say that people are getting more creative with their questions,” senior Phil Wong said.
The traditional prom structure has also changed. Being asked by the “perfect” guy or even having a date is increasingly less important. Today, more and more people are going “stag” or with a group of friends instead of a date, and more girls are asking guys to the prom.
“I’m really anticipating this year’s prom even though I don’t have a date,” junior Sean Griffin said. “A lot of my friends are also going ‘stag’.”
The evolution of Prom has also involved the incorporation of new elements. Students now view Prom not only as a joyous event where seniors can have fun, but as one of the last celebrations they can share before they go their separate ways.
“Although previous years have somewhat disappointed me, I believe that this year’s prom will be amazing,” senior Chris Allen said.
Each year the prom has a different theme. This year’s was announced on May 12 during lunch as “City of Stars.”
“We want to make this year’s prom a great surprise, and we plan to live up to the expectations set by our previous proms and dances,” Claypool said.
Prom is and for many years has been the culmination of the students’ high school careers, an event at which they can release all the pressure that they have built up during the last four years. This year’s Prom continues that tradition.
“Prom is important to attend, especially if you’re a senior,” senior Rachel Wess said. “It’s the last big activity, and it’s important to make the most out of senior year.”
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