When the time hit 7:30, the Arundel Preserve Hotel flooded with cheerful students who were eager to get the night started. The dance floor became crowded, hands were waving in the air, feet were shuffling, and the rainbow strobe lights were spotlighting the sweaty, joyous students.
The air of the room was intoxicating, magical, or you could even say enchanted. Three hours later, as the last song faded away and the dance floor emptied, the memories of Prom night lingered in the air like a sweet perfume, the milestone forever in hearts and minds.
On April 26th, the upperclassmen at Atholton awoke in anticipation for the day. While students had been preparing for this special day since Homecoming ended, the SGA board had been preparing since last April.
Prom takes a lot of preparation and planning in order for it to happen.Gaargi Bora, class of 2025 SGA president, and Kavya Shah, class of 2025 president along with sponsors have done a lot of preparing, fundraising, negotiating, calling venues, hiring dj’s, and meetings this year in order to make Prom enjoyable.
This process isn’t always easy, as pleasing over 1,000 teenagers takes a group effort and collaboration can be difficult, especially when the people involved have busy schedules.
“I mean I’m in a lot of clubs and often overwhelmed by work so figuring out times to meet and plan was difficult,” Bora said.
“I’m new to this so balancing my duties and planning a prom was hard in the beginning, but we figured it out,” said assistant principal Ms. Kelly, a sponsor for prom. “Figured it out” she did, indeed, because on that April day, their vision came to life.
As the planning for Prom was being finalized and the night was getting closer, the students at Atholton began searching for their attire.
“I wanted something simple but with unique features. It was pretty hard to find. I went shopping online, in person, and even drove over an hour away to find the perfect dress,” said Lexi Sloan, a junior at Atholton.
The outfit worn to Prom is arguably the most important and stressful part of preparing. There is a sentimental connection with the outfit worn to Prom. The goal of the outfit selection is to see the outfit and be able to remember how confident one felt and look back at the memories made in it. The way a person feels in their outfit sets the tone for the night, so finding the perfect outfit is a necessity.
“When I got my suit in March and put it on and looked in the mirror, I was thinking damn, I look sexy,” said senior, Jonathan Maslan.
For Maslan and Atholton seniors, this prom was meaningful; it was the last prom before venturing out into the world.
“I need to go all out, get the best suit, and make the most memories,” Maslan remembers thinking.
When the sun rose on April 26th, the students at Atholton awoke ready for the day they had all been waiting so eagerly for. Lexi Sloan awoke to see her prom dress hung up ironed and ready to be worn. The day was finally here. While the day is a magical one, it can be busy too. Everyone is rushing to shower, do their make up and hair, make bouquets, eat, meet friends, and take pictures in a short time.
“It was really stressful, but honestly some of my best memories were hastily getting ready with my friends,” said Sloan.
It is in the small moments with friends where the bonding and memories really take place. There is something beautiful about being surrounded by friends and just helping each other out. “I remember my bouquet died that morning and I was really upset.
I thought it was a disaster but it actually turned into a memorable moment. Some of my friends took a flower out of theirs and others grabbed flowers from my dining room and created a new one for me. It was so, like, girlhood,” said Liz Student.
After hours of getting ready and taking pictures at every angle, Arundel Preserve was the last stop. Party buses and cars filled with smiling students headed to the hotel and filled the parking lot; inside the hotel a beautiful venue was waiting.
“I really enjoyed the aesthetic at this prom and I was somewhat dazzled by the floral and mildly aqueous feel of the venue,” said Tim Wright, a senior at Atholton. This year’s theme was “Enchanted Garden” and SGA and sponsors did a great job nailing it.
The beautiful venue had fresh fruit, tasty drinks, and finger food. Past all the gorgeous floral design and delicious food, a strobe light room with a dance floor was awaiting the students’ arrival. Students jumping up and down, blackflips being thrown, and dance circles were all found.
“I enjoyed dancing, I enjoyed just being there and seeing people in my math class dance instead of doing equations. It was cool to see everyone having a good time,” said Nick Schied, a junior who danced through the entirety of prom.
As the night came to an end, the dance floor became were left on the floor, each representing a night to remember. Though the dresses are hung up and suits returned, the echoes of the night linger.