City teen helps plan virtual prom
High school senior says she didn’t want others to feel ‘sad’ and deprived
When high school senior Cadderly Kingsbury realized the closure of her school due to the COVID-19 pandemic meant she would end up missing the majority of her Grade 12 experiences, she was “sad and a little angry.”
Now, she’s excited to help bring kids across the country a fun virtual prom experience.
Q What is a virtual prom, and what fun stuff can people look forward to when it takes place on May 22?
A The virtual prom is for seniors who won’t get a prom this year. It’s going to happen over a Youtube livestream and the DJ Loud Luxury is going to be taking care of the music and we are trying to get some celebrities to send us some recorded messages to share. (The committee) will also have our own recorded messages to share and we are also hoping to find a way for the students to shout out their friends just so it doesn’t feel quite so virtual.
Q How did you get involved, and what does your job entail?
A I was looking for scholarships for next year and the Student Life Network is a great big organization that just gives, gives, gives, and I had received an email from them asking for people to apply for the virtual prom committee. So I applied, not thinking much of it and a couple of weeks later I got an email back saying I was in.
Because this whole prom is basically planned, organized promoted by students — it’s all by students for students — basically my job is to be a promoter, I think of prizes we can give out. I reach out to people; it’s a little bit of everything, except I don’t fund it, obviously.
Q The virtual prom will also benefit Kids Help Phone. How does that partnership work?
A It’s really awesome. For every participant in the virtual prom, every person that RSVPS and every person that watches the livestream, there is a donation made to Kids Help Phone. We decided to partner with them because during this time a lot of people’s mental health is deteriorating so we wanted to help out.
Q Are your friends excited about the idea of a virtual prom?
A There’s a lot of mixed reactions. Some think it’s cool and are wanting to donate to (Kids Help Phone) so they kind of think it’s a fun idea. But we also have a lot of people who are upset because it’s not a real prom and they won’t get to experience a real prom. But honestly, I think it’s better than nothing. I think this is something we can all celebrate even if it’s not the real, traditional prom we were all expecting.
Q What do you personally hope to experience during the virtual prom?
A I really hope I get closure for high school, because usually for people grad and prom are kind of the last hurrah for school, but since we don’t get the normal graduation I don’t want to (feel) that I am missing something.