SRHS seniors prepare for prom

SRHS Senior Class ASB officers (from left) Ashley Lo, Nina Suomi and Bryn Tannone are responsible for planning the senior prom. (photo by Tracey LoVuolo)

SRHS seniors prepare for prom

This week, high school seniors across Scripps Ranch will be stepping out of their homes in formal dresses and tuxedos as they prepare to embark on one of the most memorable evenings of their teenage years. Themed “Garden of Lights,” the Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS) senior prom will take place on June 2 at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park.

Responsibility for planning the momentous event rests with the elected SRHS senior class ASB officers who began the process of selecting a venue in April of last year. Nina Suomi, senior class vice president, explained that the theme “Garden of Light” will be incorporated throughout the venue, which will feature a focus on lighting, impressive decorations, and both indoor and outdoor components.

According to Senior Class President Ashley Lo, she and her fellow officers focused on making this year’s prom more unique and not just about dancing.

“We’ll have game tables, photo booths, a multi-camera photo array and a lot of other activities,” she said. “Something really great about our venue is that students will also have access to the exhibits. There will be a lot of cool activities you can do within the museum to hang out with your friends and have fun.”

One unique feature that Suomi said she is really looking forward to is the silent DJ. While there will be a traditional DJ playing dance music on loud speakers on the main level dance floor, a silent DJ will be featured on the rooftop, where students will be offered headsets that they can switch to a variety of stations to suit their musical tastes. In this environment, those wishing to listen to music can do so, while those who prefer to socialize with their friends can enjoy a quieter atmosphere in the same space.

Another highly-anticipated element of the event for many seniors is the opportunity to be named prom king or queen. According to Lauren Ruiz, SRHS ASB advisor, nominations for prom court are currently underway, and voting for top prom royalty will occur next week in the students’ Core classes. The winning couple will be crowned on the night of the event.

Prom at SRHS is well-attended each year, with expected attendance of greater than 500 students, Ruiz explained. In order to be eligible to attend the prom, students must either be a senior at SRHS, or a guest in attendance with a senior.

Getting invited to be someone’s guest at prom is a momentous occasion of its own. Long before dresses are picked out, tuxedos rented or flowers ordered, high school seniors begin planning their perfect “promposal” – the modern-day method by which a student asks their date to accompany them to prom.

From simple and sweet to elaborate and grand, promposals are almost as significant as the prom, itself. The key, it seems, is to ensure that the gesture carries personal significance. Ideas can range from making handmade posters to writing a message in the sand at the beach to preparing a favorite baked good and popping the question written in icing.

With just more than one week left until the big night, the senior class officers are working on putting the final touches on prom gifts and decorations, and are looking forward to seeing all of their hard work come together.

“I’m looking forward to seeing it all pay off,” Lo said. “We get to provide our senior class with a memory that’s going to, hopefully, last a lifetime. Prom is something that’s so special and a lot of people hold on to that after high school.”

Tickets went on sale May 9 and sales will conclude on Wednesday, May 30.