Prom-posals, long dresses, sleek tuxedos, and the thrill of heading downtown with all your friends. It’s the event every senior looks forward to, but until recently, the likelihood of a 2021 Senior Prom was uncertain.

Although the year has been marked by numerous cancelations, senior class advisers Mrs. Perry and Mr. Solenday have been determined to make the dance happen. The two have been planning this year’s Prom since last spring, soon after it became certain that the 2020 Prom would not be held. And it’s looking like their hard work will soon pay off.

“I am so excited to just say we are going to be able to have a Prom [this year],” Perry said. “Regardless of the restrictions that will be put in place, we should all be excited that we are able to have an event at all.”

The 2021 North Allegheny Senior Prom is scheduled for May 8 from 6:30 to 11:30pm at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center downtown.  The event will include dinner and entertainment.

Even though the location was booked a year in advance and additional planning began shortly thereafter, the two advisers know that doesn’t mean that things can’t easily change in the coming weeks. 

“We are faced with many challenges as we go into this year’s big events because of COVID-19, but Mr. Solenday and I are working closely with Dr. Dirda and Dr. Friez to figure out what will be the best scenarios for all the traditional momentous senior occasions,” Perry added.

Naturally, the 2021 Prom will look very different from years past.

“Of course, masks will be a must at all times except for dinner,” Perry explained. “We do plan on having a formal dinner at Prom like we normally do, but the meal itself has not been finalized yet. Normally, we can seat people at tables of ten, but due to the restrictions in place, tables will be for groups of four to six. We will have a date after ticket sales have concluded to reserve tables so that friends can sit together or even have tables close to other groups.”

This year’s event is open to NASH seniors only, and all tickets must be purchased individually.  Additionally, dancing will be restricted.

“We will have a DJ at the event, but we are not 100% sure how dancing will be this year.  I would assume that slow dancing and close contact dancing will be eliminated. We will be selling tickets to individual seniors only, so couples tickets will not be sold. We will find out more about this the closer that we get to the event,” Perry added.

Despite with all the potential changes, the excitement about even having a Prom is enough for some students. Senior Yassen Sabil is grateful for the chance to attend.

“I’ve seen too many coming-of-age movies to be content with not having a Prom,” he said. “I have never gone to a dance with anyone throughout high school, and even though it might be silly, I’d be a little sad if I left high school without ever having that experience.”

Senior Kathy Reynolds is both anxious and hopeful.

“I just hope it happens somehow, but sadly, I’m not sure if it’s the safest idea,” she said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year’s senior class did not get to experience a Prom. Senior Banquet and the traditional commencement ceremony were also canceled last year.

As a way of minimizing safety risks this year, Perry and Solenday are planning to merge Post Prom and Senior Banquet activities into the May 8th Prom agenda, so senior superlatives, photo-ops, and a hypnotist show are likely to be part of the evening.

Joey Karlovitz, NA ’20,  shared his thoughts on the current plan with the current senior class. 

“If you have a Prom, cherish it because you never know when something so special to senior year will be canceled,” he said.

Seniors can buy their ticket at a reduced price of $70 in the auditorium foyer next week after school on Monday and Thursday, before school on Tuesday and Friday, and from 1:00 -3:00 on Wellness Wednesday. A Google Form and waiver (to be sent from Dr. Dirda via school email) must be completed before a ticket can be purchased.

“I seriously can’t tell you how excited I am,” Perry said. “I have been a senior class adviser for 10 years, and love being able to plan these events for our students.  We kept hope as long as we could last year that the event might still get to happen, and I was heartbroken when there was no way to see the Prom or banquet or a traditional graduation come to fruition.  This year we have high hopes and feel that things are moving in the right direction.”