That Teen Event Called Prom
By Loan Kim Ly

A special night with that special someone. An overrated tradition started and kept by the popular crowd. One of those few times in life you get to dress up, ride in a limo, and spend time with people you’ve known or haven’t known so well for the past four or more years. Just another pocket emptying event. It’s an excuse (second to your wedding) for a girl to buy a really expensive dress.

What ever your reasons may be, most of us are faced with prom night. For some, the prom is the highlight of a high school career. For others, it might be something fun they wouldn’t mind attending. And then there are those who feel prom night is too overrated and expensive to bother with. For me, prom is just one of those events everyone should experience at least once, and if someone doesn’t, then that’s their prerogative.

The countdown to prom night can be broken down into three stages and two categories. One category is for those who want to go to prom and the other is for those who choose not to.

Stage One

First of all, there’s the “who should go with whom” and “are you even going to prom?” stage. This is a stage in which both pro-prom goers and anti-prom protesters experience. At this point, most people aren’t too concerned with the prospects of prom night.

However, there are those who begin what is called the princess syndrome, called that because it mainly effects girls, but has a tendency to effect guys also.

The princess syndrome occurs when one anticipates the picture perfect prom, which consists of the ideal guy or girl that they could marry (preferably a boy/girlfriend or a mega-crush), the most beautiful dress/tuxedo, and to top it off, being crowned prom king and queen.

The Dream

You’re heading toward the prom and so far it has been a good start. Your dream date was on time and he couldn’t look better, not to mention how great you look in your fancy up do and satin gown. Arriving at the hotel, you and your date are directed toward the ballroom. Up the heavily carpeted stairwell, right past the hallway with the long, elegant drapery with tiny rosettes along the edges, across an overpass in which you get a quick glimpse of the starry night and manage to take in a breath of the warm, evening air.

A few more steps and you are greeted by compliments of how beautiful you look and how cute a couple the two of you make. The night is filled with dancing, laughter, and reminiscing. Of course your high heals, all those layers in your dress, and his penguin suit bring no discomfort. Now to top it off you hear your names when they announce the prom king and queen.

Come time for the traditional dance with the king and queen, your eyes lock with his and everything went as planned. Cinderella would be jealous right now. Prom night was picture perfect!

Wake up

Although that might be stretching it a bit, the princess syndrome has a tendency to ruin people’s proms by getting their hopes up, the real thing usually falling short of their expectations. In mid-February one may begin hearing comments like, “I wasn’t really thinking about it…” Then, “What am I gonna do, wear, what about a date?”

This is the time when teen magazines start publishing their annual prom stock, featuring the latest hair, make-up and dress styles. Soon a nearing deadline leads up to the second stage.

Stay tuned for Stage Two…”The great date race,” to be published next week.