PROM MUST GO ON: largest prom in history of Gorge slated for Saturday night
By Tom Peterson
Prom is that quirky quintessential American right-of-passage.
Well, it just got quirkier and possibly more fun.
With the coronavirus and social distancing trying to spoil everything, local high schools are not having it.
Prom must go on.
And, guess what? The largest prom in the history of the Gorge is slated for Saturday night.
But it’s a tad different.
Radio broadcasts from KACI 93.5 FM and Randy Haines coupled with live streaming will give a chance to juniors and seniors to log and tune in to music, special requests, pictures, shout outs maybe even a little awkward dancing with a dad.
“I think it is pretty awesome,” said Jenna Miller, senior at The Dalles High School. “It’s a creative and nice way to get kids involved and make them feel special and celebrated.”
Students from The Dalles, Hood River, Stevenson, Cascade Locks, White Salmon, Lyle, Klickitat, Wishram, Goldendale, Arlington, Dufur, Sherman and Maupin are expected to participate, said Robbie Denning, CEO of Immense Imagery, which is handling the live stream.
The Dalles High School teacher Jill Pearson said the idea was met with mixed response but garnered a ton more favor than a Zoom meeting.
And thus far, “They have been getting in a lot of song requests from students and shoutouts from family and community,” she said.
It was a tough decision, but something had to be done to preserve prom.
“... We had to face the decision: either cancel, or come up with something else. I decided to go old-tech and reach out to local radio, since even students without the internet usually have a stereo or something they can play music from. Thanks to the help of Randy Haines and Robbie Denning, they have helped us put together The Dalles' first ever "Social Distant Prom".
This week, students can request music and send shout-outs, which will be played on air Saturday, May 16, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Students can put their requests in at gorgeprom.com.
And don’t miss the contests:
Best photo with pet;
Most creative outfit;
Maximum social distancing shown between photographer and subject or between to subjects;
Most convincing impression of “Oh my gosh, I just got crowned prom king/queen”
And most positive shout-out.
All will be streamed.
Senior Jenna Miller, who will be attending Corban University at Salem next year, said she was still getting ready for Saturday.
“I have a few dresses laying around,” she said. “I still want to order a dress for fun and use it for other occasions.”
She said there was no date with boyfriend Sam Alvarez planned. No corsage.
Rather, she planned on spending the night with family, and she might convince one of her older brothers to dress up and do some awkward dancing.
Look out John Miller, class of 2017!
Jenna Miller said the virus slow down was challenging, but it gave her a chance to spend more time with family before she moves next fall.
Pearson said, “It had been fun reaching out to groups and individual students to get their input - emailing students I know are really into music- and despite everything, I'm really looking forward to Saturday.”
“On the bright side, it may also be the easiest "chaperoning" for a dance I've ever done,” she said.
A Thank You To Sponsors:
Presented by Walmart, long time DJ Randy Haines and DJ Nate will be spinning requests for the graduating Class of 2020! Throughout the Prom shout outs, high school memories and requests will be heard at KACI FM 93.5 courtesy of Crestline Construction, Windmaster Market, Gameopoly and Youth Think. Steamed by Immense Imagery courtesy of Cascade Square in The Dalles. Join us Saturday night, May 16th 7-10 for the class of 2020 Prom Night!
