After months of strategic planning, the student council members and senior class sponsor Amy Smith put together the first, and hopefully last, COVID-safe prom on May 1. Prom night took place at Stubbs Amphitheater, with an abundance of outdoor space to dance in, both covered and uncovered, a variety of good food and a curated ambiance. Masks were part of the entry ticket. 

The rain earlier in the day worried prom organizers and eager attendees alike, but the clouds conveniently took a break in time for The Masquerade, giving the class of 2021 one night of collective fun in a year that has too few of them.

SUNSHINE ON A RAINY DAY: Senior Bridget Russo jives, more like moshes, with her classmates at prom on a muddy May night. “My favorite part was seeing all my classmates that I haven’t seen since before COVID: it was very special,” Russo said. This year’s pandemic prom was held at Stubb’s outdoor amphitheater under lights and a tent due to the weekend’s rainy conditions. Russo said it was very unique compared to a pre-COVID prom because the human interaction with those that had been dearly missed made the night that much more memorable. “It gave me some much-needed closure for a senior year spent online, and it meant a lot that Ms. Smith put so much energy into giving us this experience,” Russo said. Reporting by Grace Nugent. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

HELPING HANDS: While working the donut stand for the student council, juniors Sarah Crow and Anna Bausman stop to pose for a photo. Even though volunteering isn’t the most exciting thing to be doing at prom, Crow’s favorite part of the night was a product of it. “At the end of the night we had to start handing out full boxes of donuts because there were so many leftovers,” Crow said. “The look on people’s faces when we offered them a dozen donuts was so funny. They were so shocked but happy to take them.” Because she is in student council, Crow was able to witness the planning process for the prom. She was happy to see those plans realized on Saturday. “Walking in and seeing all the decorations and booths set up was really cool,” she said. “I was happy the seniors got such a good prom, considering the conditions we’ve had this year.” Reporting by Lydia Reedy. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

TIME PASSAGES: Junior Wynter Winston busts a move at prom on Saturday. Winston came with a senior and was therefore able to live it up on the dance floor. “It felt so surreal,” Winston said. “I really loved how it felt like so much time had passed but yet none at all.” Between dancing and getting Sour Patch Kids from Ms. Smith, Winston enjoyed every bit of the 2021 prom.  “I had a great time, but the DJ could’ve played more Pitbull,” Winston joked. Reporting by Anna McClellan. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

DANCING WITH HERSELF: Senior class sponsor Amy Smith bust a move on the Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater stage during the 2021 prom. Prior to the start of the event, Smith secured a covered warehouse area to retreat to and a class set of rain ponchos if the weather forced prom-goers to seek cover, but the rain ended up being more of a trifle than a tragedy. “I can honestly say that was the best prom ever and the kids were so great,” Smith reported on the McCallum senior parents Facebook page. “They were so polite and appreciative. Absolutely no problems at all. They were perfect and we had a blast.” Photo by Evelyn Griffin. 

SEARCHING THROUGH THE CROWD: Seniors Evan Dodds and Wesley Hearne look through the crowd of dancing people for their friend, who was requesting a song. Hearne was glad to see many of his peers. “It was a lot of fun to see people I haven’t seen in a while.” He noticed that this year’s prom was thoughtfully put together. “It was very well organized, and the food was good; also, it was cool to have it at Stubb’s,” he said. “The prom was great thanks to Mrs. Smith.”  Reporting by Lucy Marco. Photo by Anna McClellan.

ARNDT YOU ROYAL? Emily Arndt, McCallum high school senior and student body president, was nominated and crowned prom royalty at this year’s dance. Arndt was surprised but happy that she was nominated. “I really had no idea that I would be nominated, let alone win,” Arndt said. “It really made the prom that the student council team and myself worked so hard to put on.” Being named prom royalty is a special experience for Arndt as she has family ties to the crown. “My sister was actually prom queen in 2013 at McCallum, so it’s fun to be like her,” Arndt said. This was the first year that McCallum named the two seniors who received the most votes as prom royalty without specifying a king and queen. The change was made to make the voting more equitable for all seniors. Reporting by Marley Angle. Photo by Evelyn Griffin. 

STYLIN’ AT STUBB’S: Junior Eden Goodman and senior Joshua Morgan bust a move to “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake. Goodman had only seen Morgan once this past year and was enthused to see her friend at prom. “I was so excited to see him and everyone else,” Goodman explained. Morgan expresses his gratitude that Goodman would rock it out on the dance floor with him. “She’s always been that one friend that if you wanna party, she’ll go with you,” Morgan said. When Morgan thinks about last year’s seniors who never got the chance to have prom, he feels even more grateful for his experience. “So many of my senior friends never got that chance,” Morgan said. “I can only imagine how heartbroken some of the girls felt after finding out they couldn’t wear the one dress they spent hundreds of dollars on to enjoy one night. … So for me, even being able to go was not only a blessing, but it was the greatest thing I could’ve asked for.” Reporting by Alysa Spiro. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

POP AND LOCK: Scarlett Houser and Fiona Wyrtzen show their moves on the prom dance floor. “I just remember hearing a song I really liked, I think something by Pop Smoke, and immediately grabbing Fiona’s hand and dragging her down to the dance floor,” Houser said. Seeing everyone, especially people who she hadn’t interacted with in person since last year on the floor was part of what made prom special for Houser. “It was so nice getting to see the many people that I haven’t seen in forever. That was probably my favorite aspect of the night, just the feeling of normalcy for the first time was jarring but fun!” Reporting by Ellen Fox. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

LIVING LIKE A KING: Senior Amelie Chaouat smiles as she shares a dance with Kyle Davis, who was voted as one of this year’s Mac prom royalty. For Davis, the royal victory came as a complete surprise. “I thought it was cute and all that I made it to the second round of voting,” he said, “but I had no idea that I would win. I was beyond excited, and I’m so thankful to have been chosen.” As for the rest of the night, Kyle spent his time dancing with friends and reconnecting with classmates he hadn’t seen due to COVID. “I was honestly very worried that prom was just going to be awkward for so many people because so many of us haven’t had actual social interactions in big groups, but it was definitely the opposite,” Davis said. “It was full of interaction and everyone was very talkative.” Most of all, Davis is grateful that he and his peers had the opportunity to celebrate the end of senior year. “It was actually super reassuring,” he said. “Being able to even have a prom in general was amazing, and the fact that we got to have at least one event for the class of 2021 was just lovely.” Reporting by Madelynn Niles. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

FRIENDS REUNITED: Jesse Rodriguez strikes a pose with his friends Terrel Hall, Griffin Butler and Frida Capitán Parra. This was the first time Rodriguez had seen Hall and Capitán Parra in over a year. “We all wanted to dance together and just have a good time,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez’s favorite moment of the night was when a certain song by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion came on. “When ‘WAP’ came on, me and all my friends just rushed to the dance floor. It was just so amazing that I could finally dance with all my friends,” Rodriguez said. Despite his senior prom looking slightly different than his childhood fantasies, Rodriguez still expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. “It means a lot to me,” Rodriguez said. “We’ve missed out on so much this year that prom was the only thing so far that made me feel like it was senior year. … I’m forever grateful.” Reporting by Alysa Spiro. Photo by Kennedy Weatherby.

JUST DANCE: Living it up on the dance floor, junior Bobby Currie is captured mid-song partying with friends. Currie was invited to prom by another senior, but still felt the energy of the event and recognized its value for the seniors. “I think having a prom this year was such a blessing for the seniors,” Currie said. “So many high school moments and experiences were missed this year, but getting to have a prom helped make up a little bit for that. It was definitely a prom unlike any other.” Reporting by Alice Scott. Photo by Anna McClellan.