Prom is one of the most hotly anticipated events for any high schooler. This is doubly so in Emery County, as Emery High School’s annual junior Promenade unites the county community for a night most will never forget. Each year, the responsibility of planning this event falls on the junior class officers, who work tirelessly to put it together.
Seven junior class officers from Emery High joined Castle Country Radio to speak on their experiences planning the prom, providing students’ insight into the biggest social event in Emery County.
Beau Stilson opened the discussion, introducing the event’s theme: “This year, we decided to go with ‘Prom 2025’. It just sounded cool, and we liked it.” Stilson also spoke about the beginning of the group’s practice for the promenade dance,” It’s fun. I get to stand by all my friends and just joke around with them.”
The next student to take the mic was Mason Trout, who explained the planning process for the dance,” it’s been very hectic this year as we planned prom. But as we get to the thick of it, it’s been very fun but difficult.” Building on this statement, he spoke on what caused the most trouble for the group,” The most difficult part is honestly the centerpiece. When we tried to go for that theme, Prom 2025, what encompasses that and what can we do to show that theme and make people have the best time they can.”
Before parting, Trout shared,” If you’re in high school, make sure to do the best you can and be a part as much as you can.”
Following Trout, the first female voice spoke as Molly Christiansen shared her perspective on the planning process,” It’s been really fun. It’s hard to get all the boys on the same page with everything, but it’s been tons of fun to see their perspective and what the boys want out of prom, too.”
A part of this process involved a lot of compromise from both sides, with Christiansen explaining,” We had to compromise on theme names and what kind of decorations we want for the prom. We have had to shut down statue ideas and stuff, but other than that, it’s been pretty fun.”
Following her remarks, Christiansen passed the mic to Rylan Neff, who covered the decorations for the event,” We’re going for like a green, forestry, lots of Wisteria, lots of trees. Just kind of a nice forestry vibe is what we’ve got going on … When trying to decide on a theme, we always had the idea for green, so we built off that idea.”
Before parting, the student said,” High school is a pretty big thing to do. And so enjoy your time there. Do what you can. Make sure it’s fun for you.”
Logan Huntington stepped into the spotlight, moving the discussion from the planning phase to the promenade dance. “It’s been tiring; otherwise, it’s been pretty fun. Nadene and Todd Hinkins are doing a really good job and taking their time to come help us make the dance. And it’s been really fun. It’s been helpful. And I hope it turns out well.”
Speaking on what the hardest part of the dance routine has been, Huntington exclaimed,” Twirling man, Oh, my gosh! I’m taking my date, and I don’t know which direction to go, but I hope we’ll all figure it out in the end.” He added,” And throwing, oh, my gosh. I’m throwing my date up and around and I’m just getting so tired from it. But other than that, it’s getting together really well.”
Emma Grimm provided the opposite angle to Huntington, explaining the promenade practice through the female perspective,” It’s actually been really fun. I was kind of nervous about it, but I’ve been looking forward to this for a really long time. And I’ve had a lot of fun.” Speaking on her troubles with the dance, Grimm explained,” She says left and right a lot, and I can’t figure that out. But other than that, it’s pretty good.”
Closing her time, Grimm spoke on what she’s most excited about with the prom,” Definitely all of it. I loved planning it. And I’m excited to dress up and perform in front of everyone. Having this opportunity with my class is special because we don’t get a lot of big things altogether. But I’m super excited.”
The final junior to speak about the prom was Laycee Winn. Winn discussed first what emotions are running through the council’s head as the dance approaches,” I feel like one thing that is running through our heads is making sure that we have all of the decorations that we need to make sure that the Spartan Center is where we need it to be. And I feel like one thing that is definitely a struggle is making sure that everything is perfect. And to make sure that especially like with Promenade, that the dance is perfect. Everything’s going where it needs to be and on schedule.”
Closing out our conversation, Winn provided a plug for the Promenade,” I would say this is one of our last and final things, like Emma (Grimm) said, as a whole class. And so to have people come and see our memories that we are making as a class, it’s an amazing thing to come watch.”
Emery High School’s annual Promenade will be held on Friday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. at Emery High.