Prom is often seen as one of the most exciting and memorable events of high school: a night where students dress up, spend time with friends, and celebrate the year together. Alina Lewis (11) attended this year’s prom and described it as a memorable experience that stood out from past school dances, especially because of the setting and overall atmosphere. From the venue to the people she spent time with, Lewis said the night felt special in a way that made it easy to enjoy.
“I think my favorite part about prom was getting to check out the venue. It was significantly different from last year’s, and I loved it. The venue was in Athens, but it was very earthy and green around the area, and we were entitled to scout around the area for scenic pictures or just to hang out outside until it was dark,” Lewis said.
The change in location made a big difference compared to previous years and gave students more freedom to explore and take pictures. Even though music is usually a big part of prom, Lewis said she was more focused on socializing throughout the night.
“The DJ was pretty good. Last year’s prom, our DJ looked sick but I can’t remember the music all too well. Like last year, I was still running around, trying to find everyone I could talk to to get a photo or compliment them. I ran a lot,” Lewis said.
Like many students, Lewis also spent time deciding what to wear, which ended up being an important part of her overall experience. She described the process as difficult but worth it in the end.
“I got my dress from Dillards. Dillards is pretty sick, but the price of formal dresses does gross me out. I was trapped between two dresses, this one gorgeous yellow, Belle-like dress with frills. But it definitely hid my body, and I think the color made me look sickly. So, I went with the only other dress that really looked good on me, it was strapless, a darker red but not yet maroon, and pretty tight. It was sick, and I do think I got a lot of compliments on it,” Lewis said.
Going to prom with close friends also made the night more meaningful. For Lewis, it’s something she looks forward to every time there’s a formal event.
“I did go to prom with my best friend, Mya Daniels. We’ve gone to nearly every formal dance together, our ritual is to pretty much get ready an hour before she comes over to my house so we can just hang out and play roblox or something before we drive out,” Lewis said.
The theme this year helped tie everything together visually, even if not everyone fully followed it. Lewis said she still appreciated how well it matched the setting.
“It’s pretty ritualistic for people not to follow a prom theme. I loved the concept of the prom theme of an ‘Enchanted Garden,’ it was gorgeous and totally fit the venue. But still, I’m not a good example since I didn’t really follow the theme either with a red dress,” Lewis said.
The venue itself remained one of the most memorable parts of the night. Its smaller, more comfortable layout made it easier for students to spend time together.
“I said this earlier, but the barn was truthfully gorgeous. I loved everything from the big room itself to the cul-de-sac we pulled around in first. The colors were super minimal and cozy, it was smaller for more togetherness, it was easy to gather and walk around. I’ve only been to two proms, but it takes the lead for sure,” Lewis said.
Even without extra plans, Lewis said the experience itself made prom worth it, especially considering the cost and the memories she made.
“I bought my ticket earlier, so I think I only paid $60 dollars. Though it’s kind of corny to say, I think that the experience was absolutely worth it for that money that can be made back easily for me. I do think that with the right company, prom is a great time that I’d recommend that students go to at least once in their high school career. If any cost is a true issue, I know that we do have a great prom staff committee dedicated to students who truly need the help in order to give them that great experience through sponsorships and outfits,” Lewis said.
