Marissia Potamianos and Jamie Boeheim
Staff Writer and Editor of Promotion
Jamesville-DeWitt High School juniors get to celebrate the end of two stressful weeks of AP exams by enjoying a fun and relaxing Hawaiian beach luau. The Hawaiian-themed junior prom will take place on Saturday, May 13 in the Auxiliary Gym from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $40 during all lunches, and $50 at the door. Students are looking forward to a night full of dancing and friends.
Scanes Family Entertainment will be in charge of the music and the lightshow that will be played during the prom. Juniors Hannah Smith and Mary Austin both agreed that the DJ sets the mood for the dance. Austin went on to say that she hopes the DJ plays songs that she knows so she can “sing along with her friends.” Smith said that she would like to hear more “upbeat songs because it’s weird when they play songs like ‘The Hokey Pokey.’”
In addition to the music, there will be a photobooth with props, fresh fruit kabobs, fried mac and cheese bites, Hawaiian ham and cheese sandwiches, a chocolate fountain, and lots of decorations. The junior class slate has worked very hard through various fundraisers to make sure that the gym is going to look as tropical as possible. “I’m really excited about the decorations. The gym is going to be completely transformed into a Hawaiian paradise,” says junior president Spencer Schultz. When students walk into the gym, they will be handed leis. Other decorations and props include floaties, a balloon arch, and flowers hanging from the ceiling.
The majority of students look forward to dressing up and taking pictures. “I’m super excited to see all my friends in their dresses,” said junior Riley Burns. Many girls look forward to finding a dress and the whole dress shopping experience. Junior Lexi Phillips found her dress at Forever Bridal which is in Destiny USA. Other girls got their dresses from Boom Babies, Lord and Taylor, The Princess Shop in New Hartford, and some even ordered online. There are numerous places where people can find their dresses, and a common concern is whether or not someone will have the same dress as them. “There’s an Instagram account where people post their dresses. It’s very convenient because you know if someone already got the dress you want and it prevents people from buying the same dress as you,” said Burns.
There are many exciting events to look forward to the night of prom. Most of the students at J-DHS are looking forward to “being with friends and having a fun night.” People also said they are excited for pictures before with their friends and dates. Locations vary from houses to country clubs, but Phillips said her pictures are at Thornden Rose Garden. Junior Luke Overdyk is looking forward to eating all the food and said specifically, “there better be a chocolate fountain.” Having fun with friends, dressing up, and eating all are just a few parts of the Hawaiian-themed prom that J-DHS students are looking forward to. Prom begins at 7 p.m. in the Auxiliary Gym, have a fun and safe night!