Prom is a milestone in one’s high school career, usually including a dance, long dresses, formal attire, dinner and the marking of the end of high school. 

COVID-19 has changed prom for the past two years. Last year, prom was cancelled entirely, This year, this school is hosting  a “prom” on the stadium field on Saturday, May 22 from 6-10 p.m.. 

The “prom” is called Senior Unity Day, being that an official prom is not allowed. To keep it COVID-safe, there is an RSVP. Splanning has split the “prom” into two shifts, one from 6 -8 p.m. and the second from 8 10 p.m., based on capacity limits.

Besides Senior Unity Day, seniors are following traditions and partaking in prom unaffiliated with the school. Seniors are getting dressed up to take pictures, going to dinners, renting a limousine or bus, and celebrating the end of high school with friends.“A group of my friends are going to take a few photos and have dinner outside then go hang out in D.C. and take some photos by the monument,” senior Kyler Hamlin said.

Other plans include sleepovers. “Me and my friends all are bringing our boyfriend or best guy friend and are all getting picked up to drive to D.C. for pictures by the monument. After some pictures we’re going to go to a nice sit-down dinner and all come back to my house afterwards, change out of dresses and suits into comfortable clothes, and all spend the night hanging out together with the girls all sleeping over after,” senior Tamara Heller said.

Some seniors held their faux proms last weekend, while others plan to coincide with Unity Day. “For prom I am going with a group of my friends down into D.C. to take pictures, we will also eat dinner while in D.C.. After dinner we are attending the Unity Day prom at Wootton,” senior Brooke Davis said.

The changes in AP exams have led some seniors to avoid making any alternate prom plans yet. “Due to a lot of college work and preparation going on right now, I haven’t had the time to come up with a prom plan. I plan on trying to attend the in-person Wootton prom though,” senior Jimena Alvarez said.