By: Karolina Rodriguez '25
Image Source: Luciana Collado '25, Photography Club
Prom can be traced back to the simple co-ed banquets that 19th-century American universities held for each year's graduating class. Over the years, it has become an important rite of passage for many high schoolers all across the country where peers can celebrate with each other as they are near the end of their high school careers.
This year, ICA Cristo Rey hosted their first in-person prom after two years since the pandemic had started! The theme is Once Upon A Dream, set in The Hibernia at Market District. A former bank-turned banquet, the venue showcased a dramatic glass dome, ornate fixtures, and a colossal vault which became a popular photo spot throughout the night. The perfect setting to fit the theme of the party!
In honor of Prom, the Juniors were dismissed from school early at 12:40 pm while the Seniors had the day off to get ready for the night. Leah, Class of 2022, said that she “felt nervous and excited because ICA hasn’t had a Prom since the start of the pandemic, and it was something to look forward to amidst the anxieties and stress of senior year.”
Doors opened at 6:00 p.m., as attendees, along with their dates, poured in decked out in an array of formal wear, long gowns, suits, and tuxedos. A common trend spotted by our editors: satin, sparkles, and sequins! Of course, this year's prom looks somewhat different from pre-pandemic times. Many students sported masks along with their corsages, and proof of a negative COVID test was required for entry. The event started at 6:30 p.m. and ended at 10:00 p.m.
Appetizers and finger foods were served along with everyone’s favorite, chocolate chip cookies.
Prom was especially fun for our seniors and many pictures were taken at the photo booth to soak up the last bits of their senior year. Leah said, “we were just taking it all in, it felt very surreal because we had been talking about it for weeks and the day had finally arrived.” To remember the night the seniors and juniors were given a keepsake which was a cute jar filled with candy and the Prom theme logo on the lid. It is quite obvious that the Prom committee put a lot of thought and effort into planning the perfect night for the seniors and juniors!