~The
Most Romantic Night~
²
In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade or promotion, is used to describe a
formal dance held at the end of the high school academic year.
² In the United Kingdom, the term is more widely understood to be in reference to
a season of classical concerts or "proms", which have been held
between July
and September
since 1811, today run by the BBC. The British synonym for the North American
event would be Leavers Ball, or Leavers Dinner, closer to the Australian
description (see below.)
² In Canada the terms Grad or Formal are most common and the event is
usually only held for those in their graduating year of high school.
While
proms at smaller schools may be open to the entire student body, large schools
may hold two proms, a junior prom for those finishing their 11th grade year and
a senior prom for those who are finishing their high school years. However,
most schools hold a prom open only to juniors, seniors, and their guests. The
name is derived from the late nineteenth century practice of a promenade ball.
The end of year tradition stemmed from the graduation ball tradition.
Boys usually dress in black tie (a dinner
jacket and bow tie), sometimes with brightly colored cummerbunds or vests,
though any sort of formal wear can be worn. Traditionally, girls gave boys
matching boutonnieres to be worn on the tuxedos. Girls traditionally wear
formal gowns or dress adorned with a corsage given to them by their date. Many
boys also match the color of their tie to their date's dress. Often, boys and
girls will dress according to the theme of the prom - e.g. pastel suits for a
Miami Vice-themed prom.
Common prom activities include dining, dancing, the
crowning of a prom King and Queen, and socializing. In some cases, high school
students accumulate funds for their class prom through fundraisers over the
four years they attend their high school. High schools in or near large cities
may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, venues such as a
pleasure cruise boat. Using the school gym, which challenges the decorating
committee to somehow mask the gym odor and drab surfaces, cuts often costs.
Music played during the dance portion of the event is normally the genre(s)
most popular with the attendees.
Some high school students feel that prom is the most
romantic night of their lives. They may go in a group that
includes a person they have known for years; other times, students just try to
find a date that they like. Many find it to be just as fun to attend with
friends, not worrying about the dating aspect of the prom. The occurrence of
inappropriate conduct and occurrence of violence or alcohol/drug abuse is
common though discouraged.
l Prom King and
Queen (PowerPoint)
l Dresses (Word)
l Average Cost
(Excel)
l Prom (Notepad)
