Plains High School celebrates prom in 'Viva Las Vegas' style

Melissa Oyer

Valley Press

Plains High School Prom was held Saturday at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion. Music was loud, chatter was prevalent, and laughter was everywhere. The room was decorated with bright red sashes and had been turned into a Vegas showroom. 'Viva Las Vegas' was the theme for this year’s dance and no detail was left out. Poker cards and chips were scattered across tabletops, neon lights were hung on the walls, and streamers were dangling from the ceiling.

The dance floor was packed with moving bodies, some hand-in-hand, others moving to their own beat.

"The music is not great," Dillon Fryxell said, "but other than that, everything else is fun."

Dillion, an eleventh grader at Plains High School escorted another junior, Cassie Ross to the dance.

"We are having fun," Ross Said.

Dresses in every color, length and design were noticed. High heels, ballet flats, cowboy boots and even a pair of Converse high tops were the common footwear, while some even chose to trot around barefoot. Just as the girls wore a variety of dresses, the guys had their own sense of style as well. Tuxedos, western shirts, cowboy hats and baseball caps were all the trends for the night. Some wore bow ties, some wore neckties, and some wore no ties at all.

Sunglasses, a top hat and glow sticks could all be found as added accessories to several people’s attire.

Music from Fergie, Ludacris, Taylor Swift, Savage Garden, Rhianna, Rascal Flatts and a variety of others was blaring over the sound system as couples twisted and twirled on the dance floor.

Eighth grade students were serving punch in flutes from the Blackjack Bar.

Friends Aubrey Quamme and Saisha Wood, both in ninth grade ,spent the night hanging out together and with other friends.

"Tonight is totally fun," Wood said.

Teachers were on hand supervising the attendees but kept their distance to allow the students to have their fun.

Foreign exchange student from Mexico City, David Sanchez, was there to enjoy the night just like everyone else. "This rocks," Sanchez said. Sanchez did not bring a date to the prom, he just wanted to come spend time with his friends and have a great time.

Eighth graders Jessica Hansen and Dylan Francesconi were serving a cake shaped like poker dice.

Parents were welcomed to come at 10 p.m. to take pictures of their children during the Grand March. All students, escorted by their dates, walked across a stage and paused for a moment so that family and friends could take pictures.

The Homecoming Court was announced after the Grand March.  Nominees for Queen were Emma Ehret, Bambi Erving, Emily Morigeau and Chelsea Roosma. Candidates for King were Conor Ballantyne, Steven Reistroffer, Kyle Steinebach and Daniel Tuhacek.

After all the court made it to the stage, Conor Ballantyne and Bambi Erving were announced as the 2009 Plains High School Prom King and Queen.

Crowns were placed on Erving and Ballantyne’s heads and then the couple shared a dance to the Goo Goo Dolls’ song ‘Iris’.

"It’s incredible," Ballantyne said. "I can’t believe it."

The music was quieted, the decorations began to come down as the night dwindled towards midnight and the students began to exit the building, putting an end to the 2009 Plains High School Prom.