Prom is a tradition for many high school students. While freshmen and sophomores cannot attend, they are learning why it’s important to students like senior Emily Sanchez and what she is excited about. 

“It’s important to me because I know personally I love dressing up and feeling good in what I wear,” Sanchez said. “I feel if you look good, then you will feel good. It’s all about confidence.” 

Dresses and tuxedos are a big part of prom, but so are the fun and memories these dresses and suits will hold.

“It’s really sad for me,” senior Leah Alder said. “I’ve torn it up at every school dance I’ve had the privilege of attending, but it’s not like this is the last time I’ll get out and dance for fun.”

Although, Alder will miss going to dance with her friends.

“It’ll just be heartbreaking because senior prom is the last time you’ll dance with all of your friends from the senior class together,” Alder said. “That’s what’s special about senior prom. That’s why it’s not even bittersweet for me. I’ll wholeheartedly miss it with all of my being.”

Dresses and suits can be expensive, but for students it’s about the experience, not the cost.

“Going to my first prom was super cold,” Sanchez said. “I didn’t realize how cold it would be, and I didn’t take a coat with me. Overall, I had so much fun with my best friend Kylee Langley, and we made so many memories. We went to eat before, and then we headed to the State Theater and danced until our feet hurt.”  

The first prom was back in the late 1800’s. That means prom has been around for about 224 years. Student’s grandparents and parents have been to prom, just like Sanchez has been and soon we will be making memories equal to last year’s.

“I’m so excited for this year’s prom in March,” Sanchez said. “It’s a lot earlier than expected, but I’m excited about dressing up with my friends, eating good food, and having a nice time. It’s always fun seeing each other dressed up especially since it’ll be cold. We’ll all be shivering.”

Sometimes prom is a way of saying goodbye to high school.

“I think prom is important to me because it seems like the high school rite of passage,” senior Gretchen Prifogle said. “You don’t have the real high school experience until you have been to prom.”

These are the memories that are told for years.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Sanchez said. “I’m not the one who usually goes to dances, but overall leaving high school is bittersweet. There are so many memories made within four years, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. I learned a lot about myself, and I’m so happy I got to go with a group of friends that I’m glad you call lifelong friends.”