Brawley and Central seniors celebrate prom night

BRAWLEY – A large number of Brawley Union and Central

Union high school seniors were in town Saturday night, and it wasn’t for a Bell Game.

Actually, they weren’t even at the same locations, but they were all decked out in gowns and tuxedos, corsages and boutonnieres, and the other trappings of a formal occasion to celebrate their final year of high school.

Both schools had their senior proms Saturday. Due to the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the schools themselves were unable to organize proms this year, so parents took on the job themselves.

Imperial Valley Press General Manager Alexis Singh ran point on Brawley Union’s prom, which was held from 7 to 11 p.m. at American Legion Post #60, 509 G St.

Singh, who is the mother of a Brawley senior, Astyn Martinez, said about 75 students were expected to attend the dinner dance. Contributions from parents and others, including some school administrators, covered most of the costs, but there was a small admission fee to help cover the meal.

Attendance was limited to Brawley seniors only, who were required to present ID at check-in. Several health protocols were in place, including taking temperatures during admission, wearing masks unless eating or drinking, limiting the number of persons at a table to six and social distancing on the dance floor.

Tahjah Fortune and Richard Torres were chosen prom queen and and king, respectively. Their court consisted of princesses Martinez, Marlet Sanchez and Felicity Tomboc (not present) and princes Julio Lopez, Seth Melendez (not present) and Armando “AJ” Santana.

Wild Petals in Brawley donated the bouquets.

Meanwhile, across town about 250 Central Union seniors were gathered at Anaya Ranch, 4255 Dogwood Road, for their own senior prom. The event ran from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Parents Melissa Jauregui, Michelle Osuna and Anita Salcido were in charge of organizing the Spartan prom, and about 20 parents helped out with the event.

Salcido said Central parents have been taking turns since the fall organizing one special occasion per month for the school’s senior class. The idea is to give students positive memories from their final year.

Prom is an important part of those memories, Salcido said. “It’s something they look forward to in high school.”

Ramses Compton and Jocelyn Zavala were named Central’s prom king and queen, respectively.

PHOTO CORISSA IBARRA FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT: Alec Cibrian, Jorge Bribiesca, Angel Villa, Pablo Selk and David Felix, as well as Ian Garza (back), were among some 250 Central Union students who attended the school’s senior prom Saturday night at the Anaya Ranch in Brawley.

PHOTO CORISSA IBARRA FROM LEFT: Brawley Union seniors Brian Lopez, Zoe Amezcua, Rubby Naranjo, Ashlley Murrieta, Lahisha Fabela, Korazu Palomares and Angel Montes were among the students who gathered at American Legion Post #60 Saturday night for senior prom.

PHOTO CORISSA IBARRA Students from Brawley Union High SchooL enjoy their dinner at American Legion Post #60 while they await announcement of the prom queen and king.

COURTESY PHOTO Ramses Compton and Jocelyn Ibarra were crowned king and queen of the Central Union prom Saturday night.

PHOTO CORISSA IBARRA Brawley seniors Richard Torres and Tahjah Fortune were crowned prom king and queen at American Legion Post #60 Saturday night.

PHOTO CORISSA IBARRA A table of Central Union seniors are all smiles on prom night Saturday at Anaya Ranch in Brawley.