THE
PROSPECTOR
801 WEST KENSINGTON ROAD, MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
THE VOICE OF PROSPECT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE 1959
VOLUME 60, ISSUE 7
FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 2020
FORMAL ON THE 50 YARD LINE ELIZABETH KEANE Editor-in-Chief
S
eniors were hit by a wave of relief as soon as they received word via email on Monday, March 8 that this year’s prom and graduation would be in-person. “There wasn’t any assurance that we would have something, but then, when they came out with the email, [I was so excited],” senior Gabby Contreras said. “Of course, you don’t know exactly what either will look like, but it’s still really reassuring that we’re going to have … some end-of-the-year celebration.” Graduation will take place on the evening of Wednesday, May 19 with prom only a few days later on May 22. If it happens to rain on May 22, the event can be pushed to the day after. Contreras is part of the prom planning committee, and, although it is not a “traditional” prom, she is appreciative of all the work she has seen the staff put into the event. These teachers include Spanish teacher Chris Cirrincione, math teacher Alexandra Niedden, social science teacher Kristen Ray and Assistant Principal of Student Activities and Music Frank Mirandola. Mirandola and Ray are looking forward to the outside-the-box approach they are taking toward prom this year, and they received feedback from a survey in which they asked seniors to rank what aspects are most important to them in a prom. Ray said that most people wanted to be with their friends, have music and dress in formal attire. For starters starters, it will be set on the football field instead of the traditional banquet hall. There will be three large pop-up tents with lights strung inside them and areas to socialize, listen to music from the DJ, play games like mini golf and enjoy desserts from an “over-the-top” dessert bar complete with a chocolate fountain. The DJ will be set on the 50 yard line — meaning that the entire event will take up half of the football field. “You’re not just walking into the stadium — you’re walking into a moment,” Mirandola said. This means that there will be no dinner served, and tickets will not be assigned to a specific table as they have been in the past. Ray feels that this year’s prom will be very engaging for all in attendance as there will be a multitude of activities to choose from throughout the evening. Ray noted that if a person wants a more “typical”
prom experience without these extra activities, they would be able to sit at a table all evening and listen to music. There will be multiple open spaces to allow for this, such as a tent where a senior slideshow will be playing on a large inflatable TV. Also, the event can be more accessible to every student due to the fact that ticket price dropped from the typical $75 to $45. “We’re going to try to make it so that when you enter into the stadium … [it] feels like you’re entering into an event,” Ray said. “Obviously, you’re going to see the bleachers; we can’t hide those … but we just want kids to feel excited to be here.” Even though they need to adhere to COVID-19 restrictions with mask-wearing and only allowing a certain number of people in, Mirandola knew that it was important for the senior class to experience prom with partners or friends who are outside of the Class of 2021. Therefore, seniors will be able to bring dates outside of their class; since tickets will be purchased online this year, all information needed for separate guests will be entered at the time of ticket purchase. Additionally, Mirandola noted that the Class of 2021 will be the first class that gets to experience their own firework show. “It’s going to be way more engaging than a normal prom which traditionally is a meal, … music and that’s it,” Mirandola said. Contreras added that for a typical prom, the most memorable parts come from getting ready and taking photos with friends beforehand, and she doesn’t think that aspect of it will change much. “Coming together as a grade for the last time … to remember all that we’ve been through as a class these past four years,” Contreras said. “I think it’s really important and really special that we get to have a prom … So many other schools wish they would have this opportunity, so I think we [should] take advantage of it.” Another unique aspect of this event is that they are planning to have a red carpet-esque entrance that will be livestreamed by underclassmen for others to watch. According to KnightTV Live Sports Director and sophomore Luis Hernandez, there will be multiple “hosts” near the entrance who will be interviewing couples and seniors as they walk into the event. “We’re really excited about being able to offer this opportunity and kind of reimagining a culminating prom experience … and we’re hoping to see positive things from this year that we can implement in years going forward,” Mirandola said.
illustration by Mara Nicolaie