By: Sara Sanner
Despite information given on recently issued prom invitations, changes have been made for the “Evening in Vegas” prom. Also, due to issues that took place at last year’s “Parisian Promenade” prom, several changes will be implemented for the upcoming annual dance.
The Thad Cochran Center just recently pulled their partnership with the juniors for prom due to awareness dealing with last year’s complications regarding alcohol consumption and minor violence that led the center’s managers to ban the school from using the facility again. Although this was an initial issue, this year’s junior class officers found the OGHS gymnasium to be a sufficient facility that will be perfect to host the dance. An additional change includes the time the dance will take place.
School administrators, along with members of security, are enforcing a time of 5:00-8:00 p.m. for the dance and 8:00-10:00 p.m. for the breakfast to ensure that all students are home by 10:30 p.m. “Proms that take place at earlier times have shown to be exceedingly safer than those who start late [past OGHS proms]. We made this decision with the absolute best interest of our students in mind,” Assistant Principal Sheila Kribbs said.
Last year’s complaints of revealing, distasteful clothing have led to a minor dress code check that will be performed on each student at the door, more specifically, the girls. Slits in dresses can be no higher than the lower knee and strapless dresses are prohibited. Also, to eliminate vulgar dancing, the lights of the gym will remain on throughout the entire dance. Principal Wayne Folkes said, “Students will actually be able to see their dates’ faces now. Imagine that!”
The juniors also wanted to spice up the musical aspect of the dance, as well as appeal to all musical tastes, and decided to go “unplugged.” The traditional DJ will be replaced by local bands including the Sweet Southern Comfort Trio and Hammer Smash Face who will play throughout the night, providing an array of exciting, versatile music. “Students complained that the DJ last year only played a certain genre of music, so this year we want to make the majority of students happy with the music on their special night,” junior class secretery Taylor Nace said.
Because the dance is now in the gymnasium, the breakfast will be held in the school cafeteria for convenience. This will not only help the juniors with their limited budget, but also with prom attendees’ budgets. The new breakfast facility will eliminate the need for expensive prom busses and limos, leaving students with more money to spend elsewhere. The school district officials also decided to help out by providing the school kitchen staff and their famous “brunch.”
Junior Class President Mallory Maples wants to assure all prom-attendees that this will still be one of the best proms to date. “Despite the numerous changes and complications, we have faith that the student body can make it a night to remember.”
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The real story…
Dry those eyes, all is well with this year’s prom! The “Evening in Vegas” will not be in the school gym, but at the Thad Cochran Center on the University of Southern Mississippi campus from 8 p.m. -12 a.m. with pictures starting at 5 p.m. Prom busses and limos will have a designated area to drop off prom-goers at the back of the facility where cars can also be parked. Students will then enter and have their name checked off a list by an adult volunteer. The list of names will include all seniors, juniors who have paid their dues, and students from other schools who were signed up by their Oak Grove dates. A DJ will play top dance hits and will be glad to take requests for your favorite songs.
And don’t worry ladies! There is no enforced dress code as the dance is not school-affiliated, although tasteful formal dresses are asked to be worn. Each attendee will receive a gift that will remain to be a surprise until the end of the night, as tradition.
A semi-formal breakfast will follow the dance at the Canebrake Clubhouse at 12:00 a.m. with live music from Mr. Brandon Webb. A wide variety of delicious food will be served thanks to volunteer parents who will bring homemade breakfast items along with doughnuts, pastries, biscuits, etc.
“We have been working hard all year planning it, trying to make it the best we can for the seniors. I think it’s going to be a great time for everyone,” Junior Class President Mallory Maples said.