Since the start of distance learning for the 2020-21 school year, some significant changes have been made to ASG plans for large events such as prom, graduation, and homecoming. ASG representatives explain that for the second semester, there is a priority list for senior events; graduation is the priority, then homecoming, and lastly prom.
For the 2019-2020 school year, prom was canceled for the junior and senior class, and currently, it is undecided whether ASG will have an in-person prom or even if there will be a safer (possibly virtual) alternative event. So far, ASG has only been able to proceed with all-virtual replacements for events such as Homecoming, and it remains to be seen whether conditions will improve for ASG to begin work for a safe in-person event.
Normally, ASG raises funds for prom through events such as Club Rush or ticket sales, but if an in-person prom is held this year, last year’s prom budget would also carry over. However, one concern is that venues are not currently open for booking, and it is unknown whether they will increase prices upon reopening. Furthermore, ASG representatives described several factors that they need to take into consideration when determining how prom will look during virtual learning.
“The factors that are going into the planning and kind of rerouting against these difficult circumstances really don’t have to do with us,” explained Senior Class Officer Victoria Vera (12). “They have to do with the district, especially what parents think. Parent input is something that the district really relies on when making these decisions about whether or not to allow us to do these events.”
For now, it is unlikely that there will be a typical in-person prom.
“We’re not really planning anything right now just because the chances of us going back are pretty slim,” said Audrey Lee (12), head of the prom committee for Senior Class Council, “and an alternative prom is just something that a lot of seniors think is a nice gesture, it’s just not the same.”
So what happens to all the current money raised for prom? According to Senior Class Officer Krithik Varghese (12), if there is excess money at the end of the year, the Senior Class Officers can decide what to do with it. In the past, Senior Class Officers have usually chosen to roll it over to the next freshmen. If there is no prom this year, a greater amount of the senior class budget will roll over into the freshman, class of 2025, budget. However, because there may be a significant amount of money left, the Senior Class Officers will consider a vote to give seniors a voice in how the money will be spent.
Depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and as ASG receives information about regulations from the district, they will plan accordingly for prom and other events quintessential to the high school experience.
Since the start of distance learning for the 2020-21 school year, some significant changes have been made to ASG plans for large events such as prom, graduation, and homecoming. ASG representatives explain that for the second semester, there is a priority list for senior events; graduation is the priority, then homecoming, and lastly prom.
For the last school year, prom was canceled for the junior and senior class, and currently, it is undecided whether we will have an in-person prom or even if there will be a safer (possibly virtual) alternative event.
For homecoming, ASG is beginning preparations after waiting to see if it would be possible to have a half virtual, half in-person homecoming. For analysis on homecoming, click here.
Normally, ASG raises funds for prom through events such as club rush or its ticket sales, but if an in-person prom was held this year, last year’s prom budget would also carry over. However, one concern is that venues are not currently open for booking, and it is unknown whether they will increase prices upon reopening. Furthermore, ASG representatives described several factors that they need to take into consideration when determining how prom will look during distance learning.
“The factors that are going into the planning and kind of rerouting against these difficult circumstances really don’t have to do with us,” explained senior class officer Victoria Vera (12). “They have to do with the district, especially what parents think. Parent input is something that the district really relies on when making these decisions about whether or not to allow us to do these events.”
For now, it is unlikely that we will have our typical in-person prom.
“We’re not really planning anything right now just because the chances of us going back are pretty slim,” said Audrey Lee (12), head of the prom committee for Senior Class Council, “and an alternative prom is just something that a lot of seniors think is a nice gesture, it’s just not the same.”
According to senior class officer Krithik Varghese (12), when there is an excess budget at the end of the year, the senior class officers can decide what to do with it and in the past, that’s usually been to roll it over to the next freshmen. If there is no prom this year, a greater amount of the senior class budget will roll over into the freshman, class of 2025, budget.
Depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic and as ASG receives information about regulations from the district, they will plan accordingly for prom and other events that were once thought essential to the high school experience.
