Preparing for prom is not exactly the same tradition for all students. Here at GRB, the English as a New Language (ENL) students go about it differently for many reasons.

One difference for many ENL students is that they live with relatives who are not used to this American tradition of finding prom clothes. This year, the girls' clothing was obtained from the prom dress sale held at the school. There are many supportive people and teachers who donate their clothing and so they have so many to choose from.

However, the boys did not have the same opportunity. They had to raise the funds to be able to go to Men’s Wearhouse to rent their clothes. Senior Adonis Morales said, "This is so different from what we do in El Salvador." Similarly, junior Cristina Reynoso explained, "In Guatemala, we have a 'Quincenera' (15 year old celebration) where we wear elegant dresses and the 'quincenera' dances with her father, but we don't have a prom."

Transportation is a whole other issue. Many ENL students want to go, but they do not have a way to get there and back. This year, they got together and rented a bus for 17 students. The bus will pick them up between 4:00 and 5:00 and take them to Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Oswego for dinner. From there, they will go to the prom.

What makes this even more interesting is that some of the Migrant Program staff, including Claudia Cook and Leiba Ramos, along with ENL teacher Ms. Turley, are going to accompany them as chaperones. They will be able to translate or help out with anything if the students need them.

All in all, they should have as much fun as the other students at GRB, especially learning how to dance the American way with a new and different tradition to add to their evolving acculturation!