The perfect parking-lot prom
The event that no one was sure would be able to happen turned into a night that no one in the Class of 2021 will soon forget.
Clarabelle Sullivan ’21 donned an ornate celestial halo; Karissa Ho ’21 and Melanie Ahn ’21 (right), who wore a “modernized version” of the traditional Korean hanbok; Elise DeGroot ’21 designed and made her own gown.
Prom 2021 was like no prom before it—an outdoor, ladies-only celebration of a singular Senior year. They arrived solo (no dates allowed!), they wore face masks, and they danced in a parking lot. Yet the mood could only be described as jubilant. “We’re grateful that it’s happening in the first place,” says Karissa Ho ’21. “I didn’t think it was going to, so everything feels extra special. And I think I appreciate it more.” Golf carts were on hand to shuttle high-heeled students down the steep incline to the Senior Parking Lot, which was utterly transformed for the night with a temporary dance floor, massive speakers, a big screen, a photo “booth” and a dining area. Everyone seemed to be dancing to the blaring music, and there was a lot of laughter that even a face mask couldn’t muffle. Head of School Kate Morin was overjoyed to see the event play out the way it did. “We are just thrilled the girls get to have so much fun,” she said. Francesa Puccinelli ’21 captured the general mood of gratitude and relief: “I’m really excited that Mayfield gave us the opportunity to have a senior prom because it’s been a super crazy year, and we’ve lost so much, and it’s just nice to all be able to come together, dress to the nines and look amazing and have fun all together.”
Green screen, college dreams
The zany “gate photo,” where Senior students ham it up for the camera in their college sweatshirts, is a modern Mayfield tradition. In contrast to more formal class photos, this shot lets each student’s personality shine through. With COVID-19 restrictions in mind, the Crossroads yearbook staff and its faculty advisor, Kimberly Gomez, devised an inventive workaround—with the help of Photoshop. So, on a “Wellness Wednesday” in February, 81 members of the Class of 2021 gathered on campus (six feet apart, of course) and struck kooky poses in front of a green screen. These individual portraits were later combined digitally, re-creating the beloved group shot with resourceful flair!
52
POSTSCRIPTS 2021
2021Postscripts.indd 52
2021-08-01 11:53 AM
