This year to see first seniors-only prom

Jake Nichols '07

Graduating students across the country view senior prom as a rite-of-passage, a once-in-a-lifetime, all-night extravaganza. However, the Deerfield Prom has become an all-inclusive dance, resembling the winter semi-formal in that it is held in the dining hall. According to Mat Degan '07, "The prom is one of the staples of a high school student's experience."

In the past, prom has been open to all upperclassmen and their dates. However, three years ago, Dean of Students Wendy Bradley addressed the current senior class (then freshmen) and informed them that their senior year, the prom would only be open to their class and their dates.

The motivation behind this change, said Ms. Bradley, "was [that the prom] got too big" and as a result "was getting exclusive." While two-thirds [of the students] were at the prom, the other third was not." In order to solve this dilemma, attendance will be trimmed to fewer than 250 students, putting the focus of the evening on the seniors. The hope is that it will be a "more special event," said Ms. Bradley.

Rumor circulated that with fewer students to provide for, the remainder of the prom budget could be spent on taking this year's prom off campus. However, these rumors proved false as there is, in fact, no prom budget. "The prom has to pay for itself," said Ms. Bradley, and by the end of spring term, S.P.A.M.'s budget is "pretty much exhausted." The prom is paid for by the ticket sales.

Transportation to an off-campus prom would cost at least an additional $3,000. After looking into the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield three years ago, Ms. Bradley also found that the possibility of an off-campus prom would be too complicated for reason of money and transportation.

In addition, New England competitions for athletic teams are often on the same day as the prom. This makes transportation to an off-campus prom all the more difficult. Sam Hanson '07, who was playing baseball at New England's last year said, "It was difficult enough getting ready for prom as it was. An off-campus prom doesn't make any sense."

This year, the prom will most likely take place in a decorated dining hall, similar to that of past years. Despite the location, prom goers Ali Keech '08 and Heather Reiley '08 described last year's prom in the dining hall as "one of the best nights of the year."

As published in the January 2, 2006 issue of the Deerfield Scroll, the monthly newspaper of Deerfield Academy.