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HHS prom king crown
HHS Prom King Crown
HHS Prom King Crown
Donor: Kurt Gainer, Class of 1965
Author: Avery Barber, Class of 2026, Hudson Hargis and Isabella Roderick, Class of 2028
Story Contributor: Bill Waddell, Nancy McEntire, Class of 1958, Kurt Gainer, Class of 1965
Web Page Designer: Jade Farley, Class of 2027
Prom Queen and King, 1958.
As the band took a break between songs, silence filled the gym, the only movement was glittering decorations reflecting off the walls of the dimly lit gymnasium. All eyes turned to the prom court, eager to find out who would be crowned prom king and queen. Not only was the prom crown a symbol of popularity, but it symbolized academics, friendship, and a code of social honor.
The silver, lightweight crown, with its velvet red cushion engraved with the word 'Highlands,’ was an honor to receive. From the early 1940s to the 1960s, the prom crown was gracefully passed down year after year to whomever was crowned king. To become a candidate for prom king and queen, a person's fellow classmates must vote for the candidate.
“It was basically a popularity contest,” explained Bill Waddell, class of 1958 and Founder of Highlands Stories.
In total, 14 candidates were selected for the prom court, meaning 7 couples were all running for 1 set of crowns.
“The king and queen from the previous year actually crowned the new king and queen, and everyone would line up, as the crowns were presented,” Waddell said.
Being crowned prom king or queen was considered a very special event by many, a way to showcase two students who had pride for their school and warmth for their classmates.
Rhapsody in Blue Prom, 1965 (not located at HHS)
The royal court of the 1956 Junior-Senior Prom.
“Yeah, it was pretty big. I would say that was the top social honor you could get. Obviously, academic awards and captain of the football team counted, but I don't think there was anything that could measure popularity more than being queen or king,” stated Waddell.
“Yes, it kind of registers with you more as you go on in life,” Kurt Gainer, Prom King of 1964, explains. “They identify the queen or king as someone classmates looked up to, who set a good example, had good citizenship, and was usually well-rounded. I would say they participated in a lot of activities, generally cared about their classmates, and were good students.”
“The prom was sponsored by the junior class, and the production was put on by the junior class. The seniors were invited as guests,” Waddell said.
“A certain number of people would bring dates from younger classes. I don’t think there was any limit put on that. I think if you had a date with an 8th grader, it would have been frowned upon, but I’m pretty sure it would still have been allowed.”
Leading up to prom week, the junior class oversaw decorating the gymnasium where prom was held each spring until the 1962 fire. It took long hours and dedication to set this up, but the result was incredible. Each year, the prom had a different theme, and the juniors elaborately created décor to transform the gym into a sort of fantasy land.
“The girls' gym back then had a balcony that went all the way around, and you could go up there to watch basketball games, " Waddell stated. “The way we decorated for the prom was we put strings across from one balcony to the next in both directions creating a grind. And then we put angel hair on top to create a magical ceiling.” It had a beautiful effect. (Side note: what used to be the Girls’ Gym is the small gym used as a Fitness Center in the 2020’s).
Juniors decorate for prom, 1965.
Prom in the HHS gym, 1958.
The transformation of the gym was unbelievable, and turning the old, dark, gym into a romantic atmosphere really made the prom themes come to life.
Days before the dance, as the excitement of prom rose, everyone was anxious to figure out who they would dance with throughout the night. Dance cards were given out to each junior and senior, and they would carry them around to ask other classmates to dance with them to specific dance numbers. Both students had to agree for this to take place.
Dance cards were tiny little books that contained the theme of the prom, the names of the prom court members, and numbered blank lines where the names of your dance partners were to be written. (Click the photo to see the story about Dance Cards to learn more).
In addition, the front cover of the dance card had an image that corresponded with the theme of prom that year. The themes were always over the top and the decorations went with the themes.
Tom Jones' prom invitation - each senior received a formal invitation from the junior class
“Maybe a week or two before prom, we were given the dance cards with about 10 numbered dances. You would go around before the prom and talk to people about having a dance or saving dances for each other,” Waddell stated.
After the dance, to continue the night of fun, many people would head over to Beverly Hills, which was very elegant supper club. Additionally, the next day, kids would go to Butler State Park in Carrollton, Kentucky, to swim and hang out with classmates.
“I remember staying up all night, probably at someone’s house or somewhere else. I think we went to Butler State Park the next day and swam. It was a whole weekend of fun,” Waddell states.
Today, prom is a lot different than it was back then with new traditions, locations, and after-parties. Prom was held in the small gym for years, until the fire of 1962 burned down the building. From that time forward, prom has taken place in a variety of venues.
Over the past few years, Highlands High School prom has been held at Northern Kentucky University as well as Newport Aquarium.
When it comes to decorations, it is nowhere near how it was back in the 1950’s, but balloons and special effects like lights are set up. Instead of an orchestra band, the school hires a DJ who plays a variety of different music genres but is mostly upbeat.
Something very special Highlands High School students do the week leading up to prom is spirit week. This is where different themes such as tie-dye, country vs country club, or pajamas are advertised around school for students to wear that following day.
No matter the decade, prom has always been a catalyst for fun, romance and social buzz throughout the halls of HHS for weeks before and weeks after the big event.
Prom King and Queen, 1958.
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