Photo credit: Barbara Lassen and Sensational Sounds
Being a senior in high school is bittersweet. Leaving a school behind after spending four years is a difficult task, but the memories that come with it can last a lifetime.
Possibly the most memorable moment of not just senior year, but high school as a whole, is prom. Every year, schools celebrate their departing students with the senior prom. It’s an amazing event that every teenager looks forward to, and every adult looks back on.
Each school runs its own special prom that honors the seniors. Venues can range from the high school gym to a fancy banquet hall rented out by the school. When it comes to prom, one thing is for sure: the schools put in a lot of effort.
Two schools in particular that have been putting in a great deal of effort are Patchogue and Port Jefferson High Schools. These two schools incorporate their entire communities to host the most spectacular proms for their students.
Patchogue-Medford Senior Prom
Patchogue-Medford High School’s take on prom is very unique compared to other high schools on Long Island. Its senior prom involves engagement from the entire community. However, instead of hosting it at the school or an external venue, Pat-Med brought its prom to the streets.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, many students lost an opportunity to have their senior prom. In 2021, Patchogue-Medford seemed to have a new idea that would still allow their students to be celebrated despite the complicated time.
“We had to figure out a way for the kids to enjoy their senior year during COVID,” said Kristina Davidson, Patchogue-Medford Prom Coordinator. “We tried to figure out a way that we could have a prom under the COVID restrictions.”
The high school chose to have prom at Patchogue’s Main Street.
Since then, Patchogue has continued this tradition as it recently wrapped up the fourth senior prom in the heart of the town on June 3. It required great efforts from the school and the surrounding community. Everybody chipped in to have Patchogue Senior Prom outside yet again.
Prior to arriving at Main Street, the prom includes fun features like a red carpet, mocktails, and different vendors at the high school. This portion of the prom also includes fun activities like mini golf, foosball, and caricatures, along with heartwarming notes to the students from the teachers.
“The community likes to see the kids walk the red carpet,” said Emily Rohme, a Pat-Med 2024 Class Advisor. “This also allows a lot of the restaurants in town to be a part of the prom.”
The main event took place on the streets as restaurants and businesses in the Patchogue community helped make prom come to life outdoors. The school also made sure to include companies and volunteers from the town of Medford.
“It gives the school a way to connect to Main Street and the businesses,” said Alicia Nicholson, a 2024 Class Advisor at the school. “It means a lot for the school to incorporate the restaurants and local businesses.”
The Patchogue-Medford Senior Prom is a beautiful tradition that may now be continued for years to come.
Port Jefferson Senior Prom
Port Jefferson High School takes a lot of pride in its senior prom that has been a longstanding community-wide tradition since 1958. It involves hours of hard work from the Prom Committee and volunteers around the community. They come together to transform the school with vignettes and theatrical lights based on their theme.
Different local vendors and companies contribute their services to the prom efforts. Whether this be paint and other supplies for construction, or food and beverages for the event, it takes the entire community to host such a special event.
“We encourage community members to be involved and even take on lead roles within committees,” said Paul Braile, President of Port Jefferson Senior Prom Inc. “The massive support received from the community is what makes the Port Jefferson Senior Prom a ‘Must See’ event every year.”
One of the biggest highlights of the Port Jefferson Senior Prom is the red-carpet entrance in which the entire community comes together to watch the seniors walk through. This feature and the rest of the creative design concepts make the students feel special as they attend one of their life milestones.
“The event embodies love of community and tradition,” Braille told The Messenger. “It reinforces the role our school district takes in the community. It is part of what makes up our village, our identity.”
The Port Jefferson Senior Prom will take place on Monday, July 1, at 6:00p.m. More information regarding the prom can be found on their socials and their website: pjhsprom.com.
