As the school year reaches its end at JP Stevens, the Class of 2023 will soon be departing from high school and will begin an exciting new chapter of their lives. To celebrate the past four years they have spent together, the seniors ditched their school attire for dazzling dresses and sharp suits. On the night of May 19, students reached Addison Park for a party that no one would forget: prom.

For all students, prom is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Amongst the seniors, the weeks leading up to prom saw several students planning heartfelt “promposals” to their prospective dates. While some promposals were simple gestures, others included more elaborate plans with sweets and gifts. 

As seniors and other attendees of prom left JP for early dismissal, they were ecstatic to attend pre-prom, which is where they get ready and take stunning pictures with their friends prior to the nighttime festivities. At 6:00 PM, the guests were let into the venue and greeted by a glossy black-and-white entrance hall. Further into the venue was the main enclosure, adorned by intricate chandeliers and colorful glowing lights, where students indulged in food, beverages, and music for much of the evening.

Of course, the main attraction of any prom is the dance, and the seniors brought their best dance moves to this year’s party. As the DJ played the latest hit songs such as “Give Me Everything” by Pitbull, the crowd rose to the occasion, both figuratively and literally, as students carried each other high above the crowd. 

“I wasn’t sure what to expect from prom, but I was surprised by how beautiful the venue was,” said senior Sofia Arora. “I loved dancing with my friends and taking silly pictures—it was definitely a night I’ll remember for many years to come.” 

The seniors engaged in jubilant conversation as everyone enjoyed each other’s company. The room was constantly filled with laughter and excitement as friends exchanged jokes and stories about the futures they envision post-JP. Prom was a wonderful chance for students to make the most of the time they have left together. Although friendships may be lost as graduates follow their own individual path in life, they can find comfort in the shared memories they have of high school.

Prom is a night to spend with friends on the dance floor and gives soon-to-be graduates a chance to appreciate their experiences with their peers, as well as reflect on their time at JP. As the Class of 2023 shifts from students to young adults, they are excited to embark on new and exciting paths in the future.