People start preparing for it as early as winter—dresses, hairstyles, makeup—everything has to be perfect. Students decorate the venue, organize everything, and even hire the DJ…
Usually, invitations go out a month or two before prom. I was invited just a week before—it was a very unusual situation!
At prom, you can invite almost anyone (some schools allow guests from 8th grade up to age 21, but it depends on the rules. For example, at my school only high school students could come).
This prom was held in a neighboring town we share sports with, so many students from my town were invited too.
The night begins with the Grand March—everyone is announced in pairs, you walk through beautifully, and photographers capture the moment. Parents, relatives, and friends come to watch.
Then comes the tradition of crowning the King and Queen of Prom, chosen from the graduating class of the host school. After that, the adults leave and the dancing begins!
Dances end at midnight, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Afterward, there’s an after-party. Ours was themed “Casino Night” (yes, they’re still legal in America!). We played for chips, and later exchanged them for raffle tickets to win prizes—anything from socks to a small TV.
It was an unforgettable night!
Try to imagine yourself at prom night in the U.S.—and maybe one day you’ll experience it too as an exchange student!