Plains celebrates Prom

PLAINS -Sequins, high heels, corsages and tuxedos were abundant as Plains High School held their annual prom celebration at the Sanders County Fairgrounds Pavilion on Saturday. Around 60 students were in attendance at the event organized by the junior class. High school students from all classes danced the night away before the Grand March followed by the crowning of the king and queen.
With the pavilion decked out with balloons, laser lights flashing green patterns over students, refreshments and dance music, students were treated to a colorful, festive gathering of friends and family. Parents and school staff kept their distance in the wings, keeping an eye on things without intruding on the fun.
Multi-hued dresses and tuxedos of every color imaginable graced the dance floor, grooving to music by top recording artists such as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, LMFAO and Rihanna. After a few hours of dancing, it was time for the Grand March.
Curtains were pulled back to allow parents to take pictures as students in pairs and a few in threes made their way across the stage. Some stopped to pose while others made the march in a hurry. After the march, prom attendees gathered on the dance floor as seniors up for king and queen returned to the stage to await the big announcement.
Cheers rang out and applause echoed off the walls as the names were announced. Dallas Burgess took the king’s crown and Mahala Harris was crowned prom queen for 2013. Harris is a member of the honor society and Burgess was a state qualifier for the golf team last year.
Preparations for the prom were undertaken by volunteers from the junior class led by President of the Student Prom Committee Sakoya LaDeaux and Junior Advisor and Art Teacher Kristen Cole. Cole has been the prom advisor for about 8 years. According to LaDeaux, the planning started a few months ago and actual preparations began early in the week.
“We did something a little different this year. We wanted to focus on the lighting a little more cause we just got a new laser light. It was worth the money,” said LaDeaux.
Students wielding power-tools, hanging chiffon-like fabric and clambering up ladders to hang Christmas lights filled the pavilion on Thursday. With assistance from Cole and under the watchful eye of LaDeaux, about a dozen students helped decorate the pavilion for the prom only two short days away. According to Cole, prom preparations have been streamlined in the last few years.
“We try to recycle some elements while still having a new color scheme every year. Reusing some items have made the preparations more efficient,” said Cole.
After the prom, students were urged to join their fellow classmates for a late night breakfast at Heather’s Country Kitchen. The breakfast is a way to encourage students to continue the night’s celebration in a responsible manner.