Prom is an annual high school dance held for juniors and seniors (though underclassmen can come if they are going with an upperclassman) every year in April. It’s a fun event for which everyone can get dressed up and have a great time with friends. It differs from Homecoming in that it is not in the high school gym, but rather a location decided on by Student Council, which also means that it takes a lot of planning. So as Prom draws near, let’s take a look at the details that go into making sure everyone has a wonderful experience.

Mrs. Otto is a Spanish Teacher and the Junior Class Sponsor. Mrs. Otto has been planning Prom for twelve years and counting. A lot of intricate detail and dedication goes into planning Prom on her part. Planning Prom starts right after prom or even right before as she books the venue a year’s advance. Over the summer she talks to the people at Fannie Mae for fundraising. She then connects with the Student Council after Hope Week and they decide more of the student chosen details and theme colors. Mrs.Otto then orders the decorations and connects with the vendors, the crowns and sashes for King Queen court. She then connects with the food and decor coordination and makes a budget from the balance from fundraisers, costs of venue, favors, DJ, Food and Decor Coordinator, other essentials that can be bought from amazon or staples and lastly consider the cost of tickets while still leaving money for next year’s seniors and still making prom affordable. When that is done STCO will sell tickets after spring break, send out the Court for King and Queen, collect info for grand march and Mrs. Otto will collect forms and money for Mrs.Paddock for Post Prom. 

The biggest challenge is finding the venue such as making sure it’s affordable and the day of Prom is available. A few things that can get overlooked when it comes to planning a prom is the amount of coordinating, paperwork, who’s going to do what and when, and making sure everything is paid and money is still leftover. We have changed venues due to availability and some other schools have gotten wind that interfered with our prom date and so the venue was moved by vote. Then the most fun part of it all is decorating everything and seeing the vision unfold and come together and kick off Grand Marshall, Pro, following, and the end the night Post Prom. 

Mrs. Paddock is our Technology Assistant. Mrs. Paddock plays the role of making the rules, Post Prom and getting fundraising by reaching out to local businesses asking for donations in early January. January and February she starts to book the bigger vendors for Post Prom such as gaming truck and photo booths as they get rented fast. When it gets closer the more fun things get planned as it has to be entertaining till 2 am and is planned for one hundred kids. Her favorite part is at the event seeing the kids and being with everybody and hanging out. Her least favorite part is asking local businesses for donations. She has to ask for donations as Dee-Mack Spring Semester is busy for most students and Prom really isn’t something they are thinking of as spring sports are starting and our basketball season is phenomenal and spring break is right around the corner. She got started when her oldest daughter was going to be a junior in high school in the 20-21 school year and the planning group needed someone to take over and she volunteered and now is in charge of it. The night schedule is after prom students are given till 11 to arrive at the school as that is where Post Prom is being held. We ask the school for convenience and student safety as it doesn’t end till 2am. Keys are also taken for safety reasons till its time to be released. Last year they had a exotic zoo where animals got to see and hold animals and she personally saw more interest than she intended. There were also board games, cards, painting, basketball, blow ups, photo booths and of course food. The hardest challenge was getting the help needed to plan from kids and parents before that actual day. She mentions that she has a good turnout of parents on the day off and usually by then most things are taken care of and all ready for students to enjoy. One thing that goes unnoticed is everyone that attends Post Prom leaves with a prize even if you don’t attend Dee-Mack. Another thing that is taken into consideration that goes unnoticed is when deciding to have Post Prom at the school the reason for that being affordability and with having it at the school the money can be given back to the students that attended can get more expensive prizes and the tickets to go to Post Prom would not break the pockets of the students attending as well as they would be a lower cost then the prom tickets themselves. 

Next time you see Mrs. Otto and Mrs .Paddock tell them thank you and show appreciation for all the hard work and time they put in to make Prom happen.