by Emily Hall (’10 Jessamine)
Prom. For most high school juniors and seniors, it’s a pretty big deal.
That is no exception at the Gatton Academy. Weeks in advance girls beg to see each other’s dresses and guys struggle to find the right color for their vests. On Saturday, April 17, suites were filled with girls helping each other pin up their hair and the lobby swarmed with parents snapping pictures of girls struggling to pin a boutonniere to their date’s tux. And though we claim our prom is just like everyone else’s in reality it isn’t. It is better.
“I’d say the best part about our prom was the community of students; none of us judged each other,” noted Madeline (Mad) Lauzon (’11 Daviess). “I felt completely comfortable to dance like no one was watching. Gatton’s prom was so much more carefree than that of a regular prom. It was the most fun I’ve ever had at a school-affiliated dance and gives me even higher hopes for next year’s!”
Even Beth and Tim joined students on the dance floor and “showcased a few dance moves that were hard to top,” explained Ballard Metcalfe (’11 Henry). It was wonderful that we could move around from group to group and dance with everyone, it showed how close knit of a community we have developed. Rebecca Morgan (’10 Daviess), Anthony Bombik (’11 Boone) and Sean Stopher (’10 Jefferson) also drew everyone’s attention as they busted a move in the middle of the dance floor.
Just like any other high school we had prom court, unlike any other school we knew more than just the candidates first and last name. Everyone cheered and laughed as Manny Cortez (Graves ’10) was introduced as the guy who has always been on his wing eight minutes before curfew.
Prom court included candidates for Prom Prince: Josh Song, Jake Moore, P.J. Kasinski, and Michael Phillips.
Prom Princess candidates were Sydney Combs, Celia Whelan, Claci Ayers, and Kia Allen.
Of course, we cannot forget Prom King candidates Manny Cortez, Ballard Metcalfe, Hunter Smith, and Justin Jatczak.
Last but not least, Prom Queen candidates were Rebecca Morgan, Jordan Jones, Whitney Antle, and Anna Walter.
It was a tough decision for all of us I’m sure, but the 2010 Prom King was Justin Jatczak (’10 Christian), our Queen was Anna Walter (’10 Boone), who also won Prom Princess in 2009. Sydney Combs (’11 Laurel) won Prom Princess this year and P.J. Kasinski (’11 Boone) won Prom Prince.
And though dancing was the highlight of the evening, it is not the only part. Before dancing began we were treated to a catered meal by Aramark and after prom there was… well… after prom. Students were able to hang out and watch movies or sing karaoke. May Stulz (’10 Kenton) remembers Beth Hawke (Residential Life Coordinator) and Scott Wolfe (2nd Floor Boy’s Residential Counselor) singing “You’re Going to Miss This,” dedicated to the 2010 Senior Class.
They are absolutely right. “Prom was amazing mainly because of the atmosphere. You could feel free to dance with anyone. I love the real tight knit community we have,” Stephen King (’10 Carlisle) said. With the days winding down and final exams fast approaching I know Scott and Beth were dead on, we are going to miss this. A lot. Thank you to everyone who helped put this together for us, especially to Beth and Melissa for organizing everything. We will look back on this night and remember all the fun we had for years.
