Remember when being voted to Prom Court was a big deal?
If you’re having trouble, think back to the iconic scenes from Mean Girls, Footloose, Grease, and the countless other high school movies: Winning prom royalty was not just about the title but about the recognition, excitement, and camaraderie.
“When I was in high school, Prom Court wasn’t about categories or popularity; it was about classmates choosing the people who made high school special. Some traditions, like this, bring people together, and that is worth preserving,” LFHS Alumna Joanna Marshall said.
Prom Court, or Prom King and Queen, have been long-lived traditions throughout many high schools in the country, but as years have passed, Prom Court here has lost some of its prestige.
“Last year’s Prom Court didn’t feel like such a big deal, but I think it should. Being voted on Prom Court is about celebrating the people who have made a positive impact on the school, and we should bring back that honor this year,” senior class Vice President Cate Lee said.
This year’s prom venue is new and improved – much different from last year’s boat.
“We are excited for this stand-alone venue, different from past years. Our entire school can be in one room, and we won’t have to fight with any other entities, like weddings or other proms,” junior class sponsor Julie Crouch said.
This year, the junior class Prom Committee wants to bring back the old feelings of Prom Court. They want to change the culture of Prom Court and get people excited to go to the dance.
Junior class Vice President Carm Ventura is all for bringing back the integrity of Prom Court.
“While it hasn’t been taken seriously in a while, this year, student council has been thinking about making it a bigger deal with a possible recognition ceremony at prom or maybe some other prizes for the winners,” Ventura says. “Hopefully this year, Prom Court can become a more important part of the dance and something that more people will want to do and look forward to.”
As part of student council’s efforts to bring the energy back to Prom Court, they are planning to hold a ceremony or recognition during the dance for those who were voted by their classmates. This way, the winner becomes more than just a name on a ballot but can help create a special moment for the whole class to share.
“I hope that people vote for who they think deserves it most for Prom Court! I think that would enhance everyone’s experience of prom,” student council member Ethan Farrell said.
The voting system allows the junior class to vote for the peers who they think truly deserve this spotlight.
First, the junior class will partake in an online vote for whose name should be on the Prom Court ballot. In order to be officially nominated, the student must have at least 2 votes. Then, students will vote in each English class by hand for peers they believe carry the traits that represent the heart of the class. From there, the council will count up the votes and personally email those top 14 students — you can decide whether you want to accept the invitation or pass it up.
“Let’s have this year be the year when people take Prom Court seriously. Really think about who you want to represent our class, it truly should be an honorable thing to be voted by your peers,” Ventura said.
