From Fantasy to Reality

The finished product of the prom preparation at The Vox Theater, 04/13/2024, Lincoln College Prep. Photo Credit: Madison McDuffie

As the school year comes to an end, Lincoln upperclassmen students are filled with the anticipation of a highlight occurrence that has been on the top of their minds all year: Prom. Beyond the Glitz and Glam, there is the world of prep that transforms a normal venue to a place to remember. In this special behind the scenes look, we take a deep drive into the hard work, dedication, and creativity it takes to curate Lincoln's infamous prom. From the intricate selection of the theme to the hand crafting of decorations, every single factor is a different building block to the bigger tower constructed by a committee of creative students and supportive staff.

Months before the hair appointments are made and the suits and dresses are bought, the prom planning committee is formed and starts to get to work. A group of Lincoln students come together, often with one or more staff members, to begin to throw out ideas and start the prom prep.  

“I did. I really liked how I had a say even though I am a freshman,” said freshman Brooke Lee, member of the prom planning committee.

With the many different departments of prom, food, decorations, music, theme, treasurer, and others the committee was broken up into these departments and ideas started to flow. Working hard but diligent, the committee begins to form ideas and starts to put them in place. The theme committee comes up with a few options so that the class of 24’ is able to choose their desired theme. Will it be “Night under the stars”, “Masquerade”, or even "Renaissance"? With the theme in hand, it is time for the most important part of the prep, the fundraising. In Lincoln’s case, ticket sales alone cover all the costs. Every ticket sold is money toward having mesmerizing decorations and elegant details that transform such an average space to a cascading event.

As the different committees are constantly working, they begin to form little but important components of prom and the puzzle begins to come together. With the music committee finishing up a fun and entertaining playlist, the food committee ordering all their food, decorations ordering and putting together the centerpieces, and the treasurer slowly but surely meeting the financial  goal. As the big event approaches, the tempo of work moves faster. The venues are filled with activity for the committee setting up decorations and food.

Finally the final touches are made and the venue is transformed. On the big night, the guests begin to arrive and all the planning and preparations are not left unfulfilled, but they are appreciated by the guests.

 “I really like how I got to go to prom for free. That was really nice,” said Javontay Bailey, a freshman on the prom planning committee. 

As the music fades and the lights come on the success of prom was clear by the laughter and life that filled the venue. The committee is filled with joy knowing that our hard work and dedication was noticed and people had lots of fun.

 “The outcome of the Prom was really nice. I had a lot of fun,” said sophomore Zora Walker, an underclassman that helped out with prom as a volunteer. 

Long months of fundraising, planning and building all poured into one magical night. As the clean up the mess and the people who attended prom leave to continue their party elsewhere, the committee knows all the hard work didn’t go unnoticed.