This time last year, panic arose for the Class of 2025, as a proposal of their prom being merged with the Class of 2026 came to light.
Now a year later in the midst of prom season, The Pawprint is looking back at the conflict, learning why it didn’t happen, and how it will shape future decisions.
The initial proposal was made as a response to a decrease in enrollment and fundraising among the classes.
The announcement of the merger came about after the Class of 2025 and 2026 advisors discussed and proposed such issue.
Class of 2025 advisor and math teacher, Ms. Lynch explained their thought process last year, with the “financial hardship on students that would go to both having to buy two dresses or having to get their hair done twice,” along with “population size declining,” the prom merger would be an ethical solution.
Ms. Lynch pointed out that surrounding towns, such as Old Saybrook and Westbrook, have also gone to the merged model, “So we thought that it might make sense to kind of follow their lead as well,” she said.
Despite these factors, the Class of 2025 was still not satisfied with this proposal.
Last year, The PawPrint reported in the article, Proposal: Junior-Senior Combined Prom, some student perspectives from both the Class of 2025 and 2026 on the issue.
Mason Jakober, senior student president, explained in the article, “This is their last moment. Celebrating as a class would be ruined by the inclusion of another class,” as he spoke as a voice for the grade as a whole.
Students in the Class of 2026 were reported on as well, both against and in support of the merged prom.
“The Seniors should have their own prom because that is one of the last times everyone in their grade is going to be together as a whole,” said Lexi Kinniburgh, a student in the Class of 2026.
On the other hand, there were students who showed support for the movement, “I think it’s better because there will be more people and more money means better food and a better menu,” explained Nathan Levy.
With this student input in mind, among other factors, it was decided that there would be no merged Junior-Senior prom in the Spring of 2025.
Last year, when deciding if the prom should be merged, Ms. Lynch noted that “in looking at the numbers too from junior prom, there was a lot less crossover than we thought there was in terms of attendance at both proms.”
Additionally, “we were still at a point where enrollment isn’t low-low,” she explained, furthering the possibility of a separate prom.
Most importantly, “we had some dedication of the senior class, of the class of 2025 that was looking to do more fundraising and try to off put some of those costs,” Lynch added.
Keeping all of these factors in mind, it was concluded that the Class of 2025 and 2026 would have separate proms for the Spring of 2025.
Junior prom already took place this year on Friday, May 2nd at Amarantes in New Haven. Whereas, senior prom is still to come, being held at St. Clement’s Castle in Portland on Friday, May 16th.
This decision worked out positively for the senior class, as they received large amounts of ticket sales, fulfilling the quotas for the venues.
In terms of the future, prom mergers are not ruled out, even if it isn’t “an easy decision to make,” said Ms. Lynch.
“Enrollment really is continuing to decrease, and I think it would be hard to maintain two separate proms because venues have minimums you have to meet,” she concludes.
Such a decision will need to be made year by year and with deliberation of students, advisors, and administration to make the best and most ethical decision.
