Plains Prom anything but plain

PLAINS – Attendees walked up the painted cobblestone pathway past the antique lampposts to enter the pavilion. The room was showered in white and gold fabrics that sparkled. The center of the space was the ballroom and the outskirts an enchanted forest with balloon trees and fairy lights. A large clock face was center stage for the ‘Til the Clock Strikes 12’ theme.

The Plains High School Prom took place Saturday, January 15 at the fairgrounds. Parents, other family and friends arrived at 10 p.m. to see the procession of couples and the students dressed in their best.

The boys donned dress shirts, suits and the occasional cowboy hat. The girls fashioned floor-length gowns in blues, greens, purples and pinks adorned with crystals and sequins. They all posed for pictures so the moment could be captured.

After the march across the stage, it was time to announce the Prom King and Queen winners. The royal court on the boys’ side included Ben Gorham, Riley Montgomery, Chance Stein and Wyatt Winebrenner. The girls up for queen were Hannah Hardcastle, Corle Morefield, Nicole Rehbein and Tia Thompson.

Two kindergarten students took to the stage along with the nominees carrying the crowns. Winebrenner was named Prom King and Rehbein was named Prom Queen. The couple took the traditional dance together but not before singing a round of happy birthday to Montgomery.

According to Prom Organizer and Art Teacher Kristen Cole, they present the crowns differently from year to year but wanted to have kindergarten students do it this year.

“We tried to pick someone who would really love the job,” Cole said.

The little ones seemed to have a good time being a part of the crowning and the prom was a success thanks to all the hard work of Cole, the prom committee and volunteers.

The prom committee has been planning the event since autumn whenever there was a window of opportunity to meet. The work began with brainstorming potential themes. They try to never use the same idea twice.

“We try to come up with something new and different every year,” Cole said. “Last year the theme was ‘A Night in the Lights’ and it was a club-style prom.”

Several ideas were brought to the table this year but the committee narrowed it down before they took the options to the class in order to decide.

“They bring theme ideas to class and the students vote,” Cole said. “This year’s theme was Jenna Peterson’s idea and she is also the prom committee president.”

Peterson’s ‘Til the Clock Strikes 12’ theme idea won by popular demand and then the real work began.

Cole is the creative mastermind behind the prom decorations. According to her, she has a picture in her head about what the space could look like to go along with the theme and then others help her turn it into a reality.

“Mr. Nelson is the history teacher and he is also a fabulous DJ. We come up with the ideas and he helps to execute them. I really appreciate his creativeness,” Cole said.

The juniors work hard as well to see the plan come to life. They carried heavy loads and balanced on ladders to hang fabric, balloons and lights.

There were a couple late nights, but spirits remained high.

“We are having a lot of fun. There is a great turnout and they have great attitudes,” Cole said. “We were here late last [Thursday] night getting work done.”

Cole plans on organizing prom again next year. It is a lot of work but she has fun seeing it all come together and working with the students.

“I enjoy doing it,” Cole said. “It lets me see a different side of them.”