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Waiting Game
Prom is going to look very different this year to accommodate for COVID-19 restrictions + by Stella Grist
In the era of COVID-19, there isn’t much that is known. Prom Committee’s determination to have a senior prom this year, however, is well-known. It may look drastically different from previous years, but students and staff agree that the class of 2021 deserves a senior prom experience. Prom Committee has been working hard to find a safe way to hold the event. After having their original proposal fail to get approval from the Johnson County Health Department, they settled on an alternative formal option. “People would show up in their [formal] attire, we would do a prom walk like a promenade, and we would do the crowning at the event,” Prom Committee sponsor Brooke Moore said. “They agreed it would be the full senior class. The goal would be to have the junior class, but that’s still pending. We are thinking socially distanced dancing and we could use the speaker system of the stadium. We are also thinking to not charge anyone because it’s not the official prom experience.” Out of two options presented, the committee first voted for an after-prom, a more casual, carnival-esque experience. However, the proposal did not gain approval from administration. “It was either an after-prom where they would have carnival games; you would come in casual clothes, play games and win prizes,” senior Katie Assel said. “Or they would have [something] as close to prom as we could make it. You would come dressed up and socialize, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place, I think that most people opted for the after-prom idea. I know that they said we would try to do both, but if there will only be one, it’s probably just going to be the after-prom.” After this plan got disapproved, Prom Committee decided on a proposal similar to SM North and SM West. “They wanted us to not muddy the waters between the types of events that have been approved or disapproved,” Moore said. “This is prom, so it has to be more prom in nature. SM North and SM West, surprisingly, when proposed opportunities with their Prom Committee chose the more formal option, not so much the casual. Theirs is actually getting approved and ours is not, so we are going to be copying something similar to them.” COVID-19 restrictions are the top priority to ensure this year continues to run smoothly. “[The] Johnson County Health Department says we need to focus on safe
all in-person learning and graduation as the two top priorities,” Moore said. As for COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be outside to allow for adequate social distancing, and masks will be enforced. “The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) will definitely be getting stuff out from the parents’ standpoint,” Moore said. “We are just waiting on that approval, but the Prom Committee will help put up posters and there will be announcements. Right now, it’s just a waiting game and we don’t want to get everyone hyped up when, as you know, so many things have gotten taken away this past year.” Although it’s going to be an entirely different experience, Prom Committee hopes it will be a memorable one. Assel is excited they will have the chance to do something for the senior class, but she warns that students still need to be cautious while they’re having fun. “I personally think it’s really important that precautions for COVID-19 are still in place, so I do like that it’s going to be outside,” Assel said. “I think it’s important that people wear masks and that people take the precautions seriously so that we can do stuff like this.” Moore encourages the entire senior class to give the event a chance, even if it looks different from past years. “Everyone should attend,” Moore said. “This is finally something social that we are doing, and that’s so exciting.” Nothing is guaranteed during the pandemic. As more information comes regarding prom, tune in to www.smnw.com for updates.
What Prom Could’ve Looked Like Prom Committee came up with several options for what this year’s prom would look like. Here are some of the ideas that did not gain approval.
Formal Prom The typical formal prom option with formal attire and a crowning, at an off campus location with both the junior and senior classes. This is what NW has done in past years.
After-Prom This option would look drastically different. It would be an entirely casual event with carnival games and tiered time slots for seniors only.
Outside Prom Another option proposed was a more formal dance, but outdoors at NW for just the senior class. This would allow for more social distancing and would have taken place at the NW practice field.
+ design by Livi Nagorka
