CANCELED?!
Prom-goers had to get creative this year
The high school class of 2020 knows how to celebrate, even when schools close and their proms — a huge part of the “high school experience” and a rite of passage — were canceled.
The students took to the internet, posting poems, videos, original songs, and sharing their story of how COVID-19 has impacted their lives and their prom.
Most of these postings are uplifting and inspirational, while others may require a tissue, such as the one posted by Mason Warner that ends with, “I’m sad, but this chapter is not over without a final goodbye (to friends).”
Sentiments like this have been posted throughout social media.
“Near the end of spring break, we heard the schools were closing and prom canceled. We didn’t get to say goodbye to our friends, especially those in other grades,” said Yasmin George, senior at Ridge Point High School in Missouri City in the Fort
Bend Independent School District.
George was an AP student and had looked forward to her senior year since she started high school.
However, when George looks forward beyond graduation, she is excited about the future and will start at University of Houston in the fall.
Despite everything that has happened this year, some Ridge Point High School seniors did get together and held a prom of their own.
Avery Blackmon, a senior from Alvin
ISD’s Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, echoed George’s sentiments as he too learned schools and activities were canceled during spring break. So they went another route.
“The night that we were supposed to have prom, about 10 of us got together and went to Memorial Park and just hung out,” he said.
One school got very creative in showing its senior spirit.
“The school hosted a virtual prom a few weeks back that we called ‘Pajama Prom.’
Everyone got in their favorite pajamas, and we played games and watched a show,” said Olivia Green, Incarnate Word Academy senior.
Another local school planned a prom solution for later this year.
“Our prom was initially canceled, but with a large opposition to this decision, we now have a prom scheduled in June. Yay! I know it's impossible to have the senior year I dreamed of, but thank goodness they’re giving us the things that are most important and the most memorable.” said Samantha Hughston, Cypress Creek High School.
The fun went virtual, online
YouTube also has joined in alternativeprom celebrations with thousands of videos seniors have posted. In Charlotte, Indiana, Olivia H. dressed up for prom and attended all her online classes at home in her special outfit for that night. Others did the same. The teachers loved it; plus students got to see the others’ dresses, which was important to them.
Michelle, a mother of two, decorated her home for prom and had her daughters get dressed up. Their father had corsages for them. They turned on the music and the girls danced.
“We’re having a home prom!” Michelle said. Many other stories of dads really stepping up for the occasion by putting on suits and everyone dancing for prom were seen on the internet.
Senaida F. was in the same spirit, getting ready for the prom and joining an online prom via Zoom. There were many locally and nationally who all were invited to join, complete with music and DJs.
Valerie Sweeten contributed to this story.