Take your partner’s hand and grasp it tightly, feeling the warmth of their skin. Step into the ballroom, your steps in sync, you first feel the tile of the floor beneath the soles of your shoes. The click-clacking reverberates through the air, until you feel your feet begin to sink into the carpet of the lobby. Your friends welcome you, and the decorations wink at you, luring you into the party. You get your table card, greet your teachers, and let the prom begin…

As you enter the ballroom, the music gets louder and the beat becomes stronger, clouds float along the walls and a bench seems to soar along with them, illuminated by string lights that look like stars. People sit on the bench to take pictures and they melt into the scene as if they were floating in the clouds, shining in the moonlight. The scene truly defined our prom’s theme: “Moonlight in the Clouds.”

People chose their seats, settled in, and began to chat, when the DJ began to interact with the crowd. Students began to walk to the dance floor, swaying and dancing to the music, pairing up and twirling around. Songs began and ended, people entered and left the floor, dancing themselves to the point where they could no longer breathe, leaving the dance floor, leaning into friends and laughing. On the dance floor, dresses swirled and shoes tapped, sequins and beads sparkling in the light.

The night continued, a buffet was provided, and tables were called up by the number to get their food. Chicken, fries, salad, steak, and brownies were served.

“Tables 3, 6, and 9…” Students ate and chatted amongst themselves, and the night began to slow. When dinner was done, the music relaxed, and the DJ called the students for a slow dance. Partners and friends paired up to dance, swaying together intimately in a sweet pas de deux. Dancers fluidly moved over the floor, moving like the clouds our prom was themed after. The dimmed lights shone like the moon.

Collin Macik (‘28) said, “It was a lot of fun and very well thought out! For such a small school, there was a huge turnout, which surprised me.” Senior Cody Hoover agreed, and spent time on the dance floor. He recalled the funny moment when male staff members assembled on the dance floor and displayed a wide variety of moves to the song, “It’s Raining Men.”

Sophomore Brianna Perkins had many laughs with her friends, especially in the photo booth, trying on props and taking group pictures. She appreciated the dancing as well, and noted that Nile Barlow (‘26) performed backflips, which, according to Brianna, was very impressive. Phoebe Blanchard (‘28) loved seeing the dances, especially the moshing, with a couple students “tearing it up and flailing their heads around” to a metal song.

As the night progressed and slowed down, some students began to seek solace in their own private corners or quiet spots, just to get a break from the beginning overstimulation. It was a beautiful night, but everyone needs a break sometimes. Some couples and groups found themselves small corners where they ate desserts and sipped on soda, carefully tucking their dresses to the side, or resting their legs carefully, so as to not damage or wrinkle the fabric of their formalwear.

Students came and went between the lobby and the ballroom, corners and the dance floor, enjoying the promenade in whatever way they saw fit. The night, however, was not yet over. The final event of the night was a huge raffle many students were excited for. Prizes included gift cards, headphones, cameras, and a speaker! One moment to mention was when a fifty dollar Visa gift card was up for raffle, and one of Doylestown’s seniors, Zariel Broaddus (‘26) yelled her own name out loud. There was a moment of silence after the name was picked, and you could silently hear Colleen Kaufmann, Doylestown’s Dean of Students, whisper “No way…” into the microphone. Zariel had predicted her own name being pulled out of the proverbial hat!

After the raffle, the night came to a close. Students began to say goodbye, making their exits in style, leaving the venue, walking out into the moonlight, basking in the glow of a night well-spent.

samantha.szente@newhopeacademy.net