When high school English teacher Summerlyn Poon attended her prom, it wasn’t just about dressing up and attending the dance, it was an opportunity to celebrate with her friends. She fondly acknowledges her own pre-prom memories, such as the joy of getting ready with her friends and taking exciting group pictures. Growing up in Memphis, she remembers how different the prom culture was compared to Los Angeles, much less elaborate, yet the memories of that night still stand out as an unforgettable experience.
This was Poon’s second year at Campbell Hall and her first time chaperoning prom, and she believes prom plays a significant role in shaping the high school experience, not just for students but for teacher chaperones as well. She believes that prom is a valuable tradition that connects students to generations before them and finds it to be a significant event in their adolescent years.
“Prom is a rite of passage,” Poon said. “It’s an event that really unifies the high school experience across generations. You talk to your parents or grandparents, and chances are, they went to prom. It is one of those things that happens once, and when it’s done, it’s done. That’s what makes it such a distinctive memory and something you can share with others over time, knowing they went through the same experience.”
Ella H. ‘26 attended her first prom, as well as her first school dance this year and had an unforgettable experience. She felt the night lived up to the excitement she had heard from many upperclassmen. She found prom to be more than just a dance; it was a unique opportunity for the upperclassmen to come together and create lasting memories. While Ella experienced many memorable moments at prom, the band’s performance stood out as one of the most exciting parts of the event.
“Prom is definitely a big deal at Campbell Hall,” Ella said. “It’s the one event students really go all out for. Since our school doesn’t have a lot of school spirit, prom is one of the few times everyone comes together and actually gets excited about something school-related. It was really fun getting to see everyone dressed up, and I really enjoyed getting to bond with the upperclassmen.”
While many students, like Ella, appreciated the night for its entertainment and community spirit, others also recognize the challenges that come with prom. Augie H. ‘25 acknowledges the less glamorous aspects of the experience, such as the fact that nobody wants to dance. Although he believes prom is an incredibly joyous event, he feels that in order for everyone to have the best possible time, students need to step out of their comfort zones and fully embrace the moment.
“I think a lot of people feel embarrassed about actually going to prom,” Augie said. “Last year, when I went, there was barely anyone on the dance floor— maybe one person dancing, which made the whole experience feel slightly lame. But honestly, people just need to let go of that embarrassment. If you want to dance, dance. If not, just hang out and be with your friends. Prom is really what you make of it.”
History teacher and chair of the Student Activities Committee, Dr. Valerie Jiménez, believes that prom represents more than just another school event; it is a chance to step outside of the classroom and engage with students in a more personal and memorable way. She finds that prom provides an opportunity to bond with students and teachers, fostering a sense of community that goes beyond just academics.
“Prom is one of those things you only get to do once or twice in your life,” Jiménez said. “It’s a good way to build memories and spend time with teachers and friends outside of the classroom. It’s also always fun to dress up, and I think it’s a really good way to foster community among students as well as teachers.”
Augie values the significance of the event not just for the dancing, but for the lasting memories it creates among students. While dancing at prom is still one of Augie’s favorite parts, similarly to Jiménez, he finds that the most memorable parts of prom are the moments leading up to the night.
“Honestly, it’s the little moments before prom that stand out the most,” Augie said. “Getting ready and hanging out with friends is my favorite part, it’s the in-between moments. Prom itself is also really fun, but I always find myself remembering those pre-prom memories the most. They’re kind of perfect.”
