ASB shares prom update

By Lucy Rogers, Reporter

With COVID-19 vaccines coming out and plans for reopening schools, students are hoping to attend prom, a highly anticipated high school experience. ASB members Chris Fontina, Ty Radford, Benjamin Carey-Digregorio, and Zach Van Dusen gave some insight on prom plans and options that are being considered.

It is still uncertain whether the country will still be in lockdown or if life will start to shift back to normal in the next few months. With this uncertainty, many students are anxious to learn whether prom is still a possibility.

“We are planning prom as if there will be one. We think it’s better to be prepared and [have] prom not happen than to last-minute have to fundraise and set it up,” ASB President Fontina said.

Although ASB is planning for a prom, at this point it is unknown whether prom will actually be happening or not.

“It’s kind of out of our hands, if we’re allowed to,” cabinet member Carey-Digregorio said. “If the school or state superintendent says we’re allowed to do [prom], or if COVID guidelines say we’re allowed to do a gathering large enough to do prom, we would.”

There is also a chance that smaller gatherings would be allowed. In this case, ASB is prepared to make adjustments in order to accommodate the requirements.

“The prom could potentially be seniors and plus-ones only if COVID restrictions dictate that,” Vice President Radford said. “We’ll take whatever measures we need to take in order to make sure everyone is safe.”

However, if a safe prom cannot happen, there is a possibility that some other activity could be replacing it.

“There are talks of having a reunion, but there are no set plans, and we’d love student input,” Radford said.

Carey-Digregorio also gave some insight on what kind of replacement might be on the table.

“We talked about, if we can’t do a prom during June when we normally would, doing one after, like later in the summer. We know that’s not the easiest thing to pull off… but if it’s possible, we want to try and do something of some sort,” he said.

As of now, no decorations are being made, and a venue has not been reserved. Until the decision is made, prom will be scheduled for June 12 and ASB will keep fundraising and brainstorming ideas.

“We are working hard to fundraise in order to leave as many doors open as possible. Soon we are hosting a donation-based bingo game night that we encourage all to attend later this month,” Van Dusen said. “Nevertheless, it is important to find joy in whatever does take place instead of grieving what cannot happen.”