The Paris-themed Prom occurred on a gray day, but allowed bright colored dresses to pop against the duller background. Soft lighting was shed because of the clouds, which aiding in picture-taking. Introductions provided a time for the announcement of the Prom king and queen, seniors Abner Johnson and Sophia Hartman, as well as the prince and princess, juniors Patrick Badia and Monee Willingham. Johnson and Hartman also won Homecoming king and queen this year, but even so they weren’t expecting the honor.

“It’s nice to know that people see me in a positive way, but at the same time I just wish that other people had the chance to win [either Homecoming queen or Prom queen] instead of me winning both. Obviously it’s still a pleasure and an honor and it was nice to win with Abner,” Hartman said.

The crown completed her attire of a flowy lavender dress with an open back and a silver floral pattern from the waist up.

“[The ‘first dance’] was really sweet. My first slow dance with [Johnson], even though he wasn’t prom prince last year, we slow danced together and that was the one song by Ed Sheeran, [Thinking Out Loud], and then they played that again at Homecoming so we were like, ‘Oh, this is our song,’ but this year they played Pillow Talk, which was awkward because it was so sexual,” Hartman said. “Also they only played one to two slow songs so there wasn’t a variety, but that’s ok.”

Senior Josh Dove was disappointed by the music choices as well.

“The music was okay at first, not really top notch. The dancing was okay, they had one dance-off and that was cool, but there was a lot of grinding,” Dove said. “They played a lot of stuff like current, this year’s music. They didn’t play a lot of throwback stuff, which would have been cool so I [would recommend] better music.”

Prom was held at the Barn at Kline’s Mill. The barn itself was softly lit by hanging lanterns and the tables were decorated with tiny eiffel towers, resembling a larger replica placed further into the barn.

“I know the first thing I saw was just a mob of people on the floor because I showed up a little late. It was a little dark. It was lit up in the front [and] there [were] a lot of glow sticks and there was a lot of food. There was a dessert table that I visited very often,” Hartman said.

She believed the lack of Paris-themed decor was because of the complexity of the trend.

“The theme was definitely kind of different from the past themes. I feel like they were of easier to decorate for like sophomore year…I really liked the barn, except for the fact that it was bigger, so there was less space so more people are actually dancing and together and this year there was more socializing and there were people dancing still but I think it was a whole different environment,” Hartman said.

Dove preferred this year’s spot, but he wishes he would have received a souvenir.

“I think the location this year was much better, but the overall atmosphere and theme was way better [last year], like we got T-shirts last year. We didn’t get anything this year, last year was so much more fun. Bring T-shirts back. I know Broadway [High School] gives out like wine glasses and stuff, that’s a really nice aspect, just giving out something,” Dove said.

Hartman would also recommend more preparation and earlier planning for future dances.

“I know many people wanted to do intros but they signed up too late so their names didn’t get on the list and then others who signed up didn’t show up to [introductions]. Also just the whole buying tickets during lunch at a table in a tiny little corner. That was hectic and I think we should start planning sooner. I know the parents that were involved who did a great job planning, especially after-prom, but I think the actual prom needs more planning,” Hartman said.

Regardless of what he wished could be different, Dove’s piece of advice is to treasure the experience.

“Don’t be afraid to actually get out there and dance and just kind of have fun because it’s something you only get in high school and after it’s done, it’s done,” Dove said.