Prom is a rite of passage for all high school students, an event that kicks off the end-of-year festivities. Lake Forest Academy’s prom was held at Loft 21 on May 10. It was themed “The Great Gatsby” and decorated with navy, gold and white streamers. The theme, as well as other key elements, was decided upon by the junior class’s student council and the Prom Committee.
Although most people just get to enjoy the finalized product, planning the prom is a detailed process that begins a year and a half in advance. The students in the Prom Committee are separated into groups that plan different aspects of the prom, such as food, decorations etc. Certain members even created the centerpieces themselves by spray painting wine bottles gold and decorating them with feathers and beads. The Prom Committee also voted on the theme, finally landing on “The Great Gatsby” after deciding it would be the most aesthetically pleasing. This theme was kept a secret throughout the year until it was dramatically announced at Morning Meeting a few weeks before the event.
The food was a highlight of the night, especially in comparison with the year before. Burgers, hot dogs and salad were served family style soon after everyone arrived at the venue. There was also a dessert bar later in the night that served s’mores bars, cupcakes and cakepops. There were also allergy-free foods, specifically a few gluten-free items.
“I loved the desert, especially the s’mores bar! The food was better than last year’s, as I got to eat some this time,” Daniel Schanzenbach ‘27 said.
According to many students, the prom itself was also a blast. There was no shortage of entertainment, as the prom offered a basketball station and a DJ. Some students also got to blast air from a cold air tank into the crowd from the stage.
While some students decided not to attend because it was right in the middle of AP exam season, those who did enjoy it. “Prom was really fun! I liked the venue and the decorations. I used to go to Loft 21 every weekend for people’s bat and bar mitzvahs in middle school,” Maya Greenwood ‘26 said.
After all the excitement of the prom, it was eventually over, and the Caxys rode the buses back to school. The prom afterparty at school then started in the Student Center. There was a breakfast-for-dinner food array with waffles, scrambled eggs, etc., for the students to munch on before heading to bed. Overall, this year’s prom was a highlight of the school year, with students already reminiscing about it on the bus ride back.
