Powerschool GoGuardian Naviance Aimsweb Semstracker EdReflect SchoolDude Virtual Paragon Frontline Alio Service Portal

Prom 2021 Update

Prom is one of those big spring events that seniors always look forward to, but in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors are finding themselves concerned with getting the traditional prom experience. Despite the pandemic throwing them a few curveballs, senior advisors Daniela Santos, Kim Athan, and their perseverant prom committee have ensured that prom will be a normal experience.

As with most classes, the class of 2021 booked their prom venue in freshman year because the waiting list for prom venues is a few years long.

“We had a venue booked since the end of freshman year,” said Class of 2021 co-advisor Daniela Santos. “We booked the Waterview, and we were waiting for things to open up.”

At the end of February, Governor Lamont updated the COVID-19 guidelines; the requirements for seating crowds at events became having 100 guests inside the venue and 200 guests outside. Santos and Athan are only having 200 guests, so they wondered if prom would still be possible at the Waterview. Unfortunately, the Waterview’s outdoor seating would not work for Woodland’s 200 guests because of the combination of the venue’s location and the COVID-19 restrictions, so Athan and Santos set out for another option.

“We contacted a lot of places,” said Athan, “and a lot of places said they had outside; however they were still working on things or their outside was ‘some inside, some outside.’ Some people just didn’t get back to us at all. We just basically Googled outdoor venues.”

As their hunt for a venue concluded, Santos, Athan, and the prom committee decided on Lyman Orchards for the new prom venue. With scenic tents and pavilions, Lyman Orchards venues are usually used for weddings, but Woodland will be the first prom they have ever hosted.

“There’s a golf course too, and a really pretty river. There’s pretty places to take pictures where you can kind of spread out,” said Santos. “[Lyman Orchards’ staff] were the nicest, the most accommodating, and honestly after going to see it, it is a great venue!”

Just because the new venue is outside doesn’t mean the COVID-19 restrictions will be neglected; the Woodland and Lyman Orchards staff are planning to work hard to make sure all the guests are safe and following CDC guidelines.

“The tables are already set up six feet apart and there’s max eight people at a table. The venue is very on par with the CDC, so they are also monitoring that we are following the CDC protocol,” Santos said.

“As far as food goes, they will have buffet tables with plexiglass and their own servers serving, so no one but the servers will touch the food until it’s handed over to all the guests,” added Athan.

As for wearing masks, the protocol will be similar to eating in the Woodland cafeteria and outdoor tents.

“Aside from us being there, we’ll have all the administrators to watch over, because it will be still [required that] you have to wear your mask and you can take it off to eat,” Athan said. “The only luxury that we do have is that it’s outside, and we know it’s going to be a beautiful night with no rain, so maybe we will be able to venture out a little bit from underneath the tent so there could be some mask breaks as needed.”

Although this year’s new prom venue is beautiful and safe, the pandemic has brought some minor differences to the table aside from safety protocols: there will be no out of school guests at prom this year.

“We’re still gonna have something where you can dress up, and do all the things they want to do,” Santos said. “It’s just four hours that you’re with just the seniors you still have all your weekend plans that you can do with the people you want to do it with.”

“After April Break, it’s 75% of students coming back, but there still might be a time when you’re in class with a friend and a rotation might be that you’re not with a friend, so you’re not truly 100% with your class,” Athan pointed out. “But prom night, Quassy night, graduation night; those three big events you’ll be with 100% of your classmates.”

Although they changed venues last minute, this year’s prom is not more expensive than last year’s. The deposit on the Waterview will be returned to the class within a 90-day timeframe, and according to Santos tickets are only around $5 more than other years. The Class of 2021 lost a year of fundraising, as there was not an easy way to fundraise because of COVID-19 restrictions, but the budget for this year’s prom has not been severely impacted.

Another hurdle the co-advisors have faced is that all of the prom committee meetings so far have been virtual. According to Athan, the committee would be planning together, making their crafts and seating charts in advance. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, they have not all been in a room together and have lost some time.

“It’s not ideal, but I’m hoping as we get closer we can start getting together,” Santos said. “I’m thinking small groups in different rooms.”

“It’s crunch time now,” Athan said. “It’s April.”

Santos pointed out that the last three weeks of the school year will be a culminating point for seniors, with Prom, Quassy Night, and graduation being the last three Fridays of the year. Despite a hectic year, seniors are bound to get closure on their high school career by celebrating surrounded by friends. With all of the logistics finalized, Athan, Santos, and the prom committee have been coalescing their decorative theme.

“The theme that won the vote was ‘starry night,’” Santos said, “but it was a really close ‘starry night’/’enchanted garden’ tie- I think it was by one vote? So we will have a happy medium of both. We’re outside, so we thought the garden theme was nice, but it’s still going to be ‘starry night’ because we’re outside under the stars.”

“We’re thinking lights, like LED little lights,” Athan mused. “Just to make it feel whimsical and outdoorsy.”

Emma Flaherty

Learn More →