On April 9 at 8 p.m., Aragon High School held its first Prom at the San Francisco Design Center since 2019, which was open to juniors, seniors and their guests. This year’s prom theme was “A Night in Neverland,” inspired by the movie “Peter Pan.”
“We were really hyped for our first prom as well as giving the current seniors their last and only prom,” said junior Dance Commission member Beth Yeung. “We were all trying to keep it under wraps so that [students] wouldn’t get hopes up but also making sure that we were going to be able to have it before we would start advertising everything and talking about it.”
With Winter Formal being canceled back in January, the possibility of Prom occurring was uncertain until the San Mateo Union High School District announced that high schools could have dances.
“I was pretty bummed out [to hear Formal was canceled] since I wanted to go,” said junior Xavier McKenzie. “It was the second school event back in nearly two years and the last time I went to [a school dance] was the Winter Formal of my freshman year.”
Due to COVID-19 limitations and communication with vendors on uncertain plans, the Leadership Dance Commission, which is in charge of organizing all school dances, spent months preparing for Prom.
“We canceled the Winter Formal in January, and we’ve been working on Prom ever since,” said junior Dance Commission head Cerise Curtis. “With COVID-19 restrictions, it’s been difficult. So that’s why we’ve been working on it for so long.”
Dance Commission actively collaborated with junior and senior class councils in planning Prom. Ticket sales took place from March 16 to April 7 with prices ranging from $45-60 depending on the week. Other schools in the District, such as San Mateo High School, had a starting prom ticket price of $90, and Hillsdale sold prom tickets at a starting price of $75.
“The idea of dressing up and going to a party makes everyone come together for something really fun”
In order to purchase tickets, Aragon students were required to include their proof of vaccination for two shots or agree to test for COVID-19. Aragon attendees interested in taking guests had to fill out guest passes, which required the guest’s proof of vaccination for two shots or agreement to test for COVID-19, and their school site administrator’s approval.
Dance Commission had to reach out to vendors to include professional photos, a video game section, a flip book photo booth and a DJ at this year’s prom. While planning for the event, uncertainty was constant.
“We put our time into an event, and crossed our fingers and hoped that it would work, especially with spring break happening right before [Prom],” Curtis said. “We were really hoping that there [wouldn’t be] a spike, and [if] there was, we were prepared by making everyone take home a COVID-19 test and having everyone show proof of vaccination.”
With the theme of Neverland, the event center was decorated with greens and golds, featuring lantern and Tinkerbell cutouts to resemble the classic representation of Tinkerbell. Sophomores in class council helped set up and prepare the venue.
This year’s prom will be the first and last experience for seniors to celebrate this western culture tradition.
“Honestly, it sucks that we didn’t get to go last year because of COVID-19, but I’m really grateful that we do have it this year,” said senior Sofia Buenrostro. “It’s going to be one of the last memories with my whole senior class and junior class so I’m happy and grateful [for] the experience.”
Although there were concerns regarding COVID-19, students were still excited for the opportunity to experience Prom.
“I think [what makes Prom special] is that the idea of dressing up, and going to a party makes everyone come together for something really fun and exciting,” Buenrostro said. “Especially at school dances, because you get to party with your friends. Not a lot of that happens outside of school, where the whole school goes, so I think that’s what makes it really fun.”
Prom has been a tradition for years at Aragon and will continue to provide a chance for students to celebrate together before they finish the year and go on their own separate paths.
