Seniors attended prom, one of the most special nights of the school year, on Friday, April 25.
With a “Masquerade” theme, anticipation was high. However, for many students, the execution fell short of their expectations. Apart from a handful of students embracing the theme with mask accessories and some mask-themed table centerpieces, the decorations overall were sparse.
“I was excited about the theme, but I felt like they could have done so much more,” visiting senior Nandini Singh said. “The ‘Masquerade’ theme didn’t really carry through.”
Her sentiment was echoed by several other attendees, who agreed that, aside from the occasional masks, there was little to distinguish the evening from any other prom.
The highlight of the evening was the dance floor. With the occasional crowd surfers, the prom mosh pit was active throughout the night. The DJ kept the crowd moving, with the occasional letdown songs. Some students noted the lack of crowd favorites, but the dance floor stayed relatively full regardless.
“The music could’ve been better, but the environment made it fun anyway,” Singh said.
Of course, the night didn’t start or end at the venue. Students spent months preparing for the dance ahead of time.
“My group started making plans so early,” said Singh. “Like I started shopping for my dress in the fall.”
On the actual day, those attending the dance were allowed to leave school after their fourth period to prepare for the night.
“We set aside a lot of time to get ready just in case,” said senior Shanaya Trivedi. “It helped us deal with every last-minute emergency.”
Most students then kicked off the night with photoshoots and dinner reservations.
While some went to classier places like RH Rooftop in Oakbrook, other groups opted for a much more casual vibe.
“We went to Taco Bell,” Trivedi said. “It just seemed a lot more fitting for us.”
Going to fast-food restaurants, such as Taco Bell, before dances is not uncommon, as many do the same for Homecoming in the fall.
Following the dance, students continued the night with house parties, prom houses, and late-night food runs.
“We just went and spent the night at a friend’s house,” Trivedi said. “It was a lot more personal after the huge dance we just came from.”
