CMHS students, sparkling pink mocktail in one hand and date in the other, looked through this year’s Prom venue with impressed smiles. With its soft lighting, nonalcoholic bar, and overall classy ambiance, many agreed that the Center Club was the perfect place for Prom.
“It was a nice, cozy area and it was a classy place for a classy school,” Jacky Dang said, one of the main coordinators in choosing the venue.
Although everyone shared the same atmosphere, by no means did they share the same experience. Through the eyes of the First Timers, the No-Go, the Average Joe, and this year’s Prom queen and her running mates, we see what it’s like to step into their dress shoes.
“It was a nice, cozy area and it was a classy place for a classy school,” Jacky Dang said, one of the main coordinators in choosing the venue.
Although everyone shared the same atmosphere, by no means did they share the same experience. Through the eyes of the First Timers, the No-Go, the Average Joe, and this year’s Prom queen and her running mates, we see what it’s like to step into their dress shoes.
The Prom Queen(s)
Nominee, Liz McTague, along with many other people, was eager for Prom to come: “I’m super, super excited for Prom, and I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time. I have my dream Prom dress and I’m excited to be with my senior friends.”
After dancing half the night away, Prom King and Queen were announced. Of the eight candidates, Mitchell Grandia and Summersky Rudas were the ones to be given the honor.
“My boyfriend was too old to go to the dance, but winning prom queen was totally worth it!” exclaimed Summer Rudas, after being crowned.
Despite not being voted to be Prom Queen, Brooke Wanbaugh reveled in the finality of Prom, and how much it meant to her.
“I had a lot of fun at my last prom. It was great to get dressed up with my friends one last time. The photobooth and the mocktails made the dance one to be remembered,” said Brooke Wanbaugh, after Prom was over.
On the other hand, Nominee Alyssa Hatton took Prom as an opportunity to look to the future: “Prom at the Center Club was the kind of place that really made you stop and say ‘wow’. The atmosphere was so classy and sophisticated that it gave us seniors a taste of what adult life could be for us, and made us even that much more excited.”
After dancing half the night away, Prom King and Queen were announced. Of the eight candidates, Mitchell Grandia and Summersky Rudas were the ones to be given the honor.
“My boyfriend was too old to go to the dance, but winning prom queen was totally worth it!” exclaimed Summer Rudas, after being crowned.
Despite not being voted to be Prom Queen, Brooke Wanbaugh reveled in the finality of Prom, and how much it meant to her.
“I had a lot of fun at my last prom. It was great to get dressed up with my friends one last time. The photobooth and the mocktails made the dance one to be remembered,” said Brooke Wanbaugh, after Prom was over.
On the other hand, Nominee Alyssa Hatton took Prom as an opportunity to look to the future: “Prom at the Center Club was the kind of place that really made you stop and say ‘wow’. The atmosphere was so classy and sophisticated that it gave us seniors a taste of what adult life could be for us, and made us even that much more excited.”
The First Timers
For some Prom-goers, this year’s Prom was the first dance they had attended. This was true of senior Tam Le. For Le, motivation to attend Prom was somewhat lacking.
“I kind of don’t want to go,” he said.
When asked what he expected of the event, Le stated that he had “no idea”, and that there would be “people dancing, I guess.” Le’s main reason for going to Prom was that it was the traditional senior activity.
“I might as well give it a shot,” he said.
After Prom, Le stated, “[Prom] was really good. I liked it… I imagined it a little bigger though. It was really small.”
However, he also said that there was nothing he would really have changed about the event, and repeated that he enjoyed it. Still, according to Le, “I wouldn’t do it again. It was a one-time thing.”
The issue of money, preparation, and stress made Prom an experience Le would prefer not to go through again.
Michael Chantos was another first-time dancer. He attended the dance with Janine Ombrog, a Class of 2011 student. According to Chantos, they “get along well.” Chantos’ expectations were somewhat different from those of Le. When asked about what he expected of the dance, he was very straightforward.
He stated that he expected to see “a lot of grinding,” the police, and a Breathalyzer test. He also mentioned that he hoped for a talented DJ who would play lots of pop songs. However, Chantos was determined to remain enthusiastic regardless of the outcome. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said.
“I kind of don’t want to go,” he said.
When asked what he expected of the event, Le stated that he had “no idea”, and that there would be “people dancing, I guess.” Le’s main reason for going to Prom was that it was the traditional senior activity.
“I might as well give it a shot,” he said.
After Prom, Le stated, “[Prom] was really good. I liked it… I imagined it a little bigger though. It was really small.”
However, he also said that there was nothing he would really have changed about the event, and repeated that he enjoyed it. Still, according to Le, “I wouldn’t do it again. It was a one-time thing.”
The issue of money, preparation, and stress made Prom an experience Le would prefer not to go through again.
Michael Chantos was another first-time dancer. He attended the dance with Janine Ombrog, a Class of 2011 student. According to Chantos, they “get along well.” Chantos’ expectations were somewhat different from those of Le. When asked about what he expected of the dance, he was very straightforward.
He stated that he expected to see “a lot of grinding,” the police, and a Breathalyzer test. He also mentioned that he hoped for a talented DJ who would play lots of pop songs. However, Chantos was determined to remain enthusiastic regardless of the outcome. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said.
The Average Joe
Over the years, prom has developed into something of an American tradition. The story goes something like this: Boy asks girl, they go to dinner before prom, boy gives girl a corsage, they show up to prom a bit late, and attend an after-party or hang out to finish off the night. Kyle Picco continues the tradition in every way possible.
Kyle is a senior who has been to several dances. He asked senior Elena Perez to prom, who accepted. Before prom, Kyle and Elena went out to dinner at the Karl Strauss Brewing Company with a small group of friends. They arrived at the Center Club; Kyle donning a classic and classy white shirt, black pants, boutonniere, and a salmon vest to accent his date’s dress.
Reflecting on the night, Picco said, “It was fun. The venue was nice. The DJ was better than normal. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.” Plans for a hang-out after prom fell apart, but Kyle didn’t seem to let this bother him.
“It was a very memorable night,” he said in summary. There are a lot of things that can complicate prom, but Kyle and Elena’s traditional, laid-back approach resulted in an enjoyable evening, and highlight what prom is really about: having fun with your friends.
Kyle is a senior who has been to several dances. He asked senior Elena Perez to prom, who accepted. Before prom, Kyle and Elena went out to dinner at the Karl Strauss Brewing Company with a small group of friends. They arrived at the Center Club; Kyle donning a classic and classy white shirt, black pants, boutonniere, and a salmon vest to accent his date’s dress.
Reflecting on the night, Picco said, “It was fun. The venue was nice. The DJ was better than normal. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.” Plans for a hang-out after prom fell apart, but Kyle didn’t seem to let this bother him.
“It was a very memorable night,” he said in summary. There are a lot of things that can complicate prom, but Kyle and Elena’s traditional, laid-back approach resulted in an enjoyable evening, and highlight what prom is really about: having fun with your friends.
The No-Go
Despite the overall enthusiasm present at Prom, there were a considerable amount of seniors who did not attend this year.
For many of them, money was an issue that prevented them from attending. This was the case for senior Trong Nguyen, who stated, “It’s kind of expensive,” in regards to Prom. According to him, he passed the evening playing the online game League of Legends. “I had nothing else better to do,” said Nguyen with a small chuckle.
Nguyen did not seem overly concerned with missing the event, despite hearing from a few friends that “it was pretty fun, I guess.”
For many of them, money was an issue that prevented them from attending. This was the case for senior Trong Nguyen, who stated, “It’s kind of expensive,” in regards to Prom. According to him, he passed the evening playing the online game League of Legends. “I had nothing else better to do,” said Nguyen with a small chuckle.
Nguyen did not seem overly concerned with missing the event, despite hearing from a few friends that “it was pretty fun, I guess.”
Prom 2012 Pictures
RSS Feed