High School Prom and Graduation

Prom

In the United States and Canada, a prom, short for promenade, is used to describe a formal dance held at the end of the high school academic year. In the United Kingdom the term is more widely understood to be in reference to a season of classical concerts or "proms", which have been held between July and September since 1811, today run by the BBC. The British synonym for the North American event would be Leavers Ball, or Leavers Dinner, closer to the Australian description (see below.)

While proms at smaller schools may be open to the entire student body, large schools may hold two proms, a junior prom for those finishing their 11th grade year and a senior prom for those who are finishing their high school years. The name is derived from the late nineteenth century practice of a promenade ball. The end of year tradition stemmed from the graduation ball tradition.

Boys usually dress in black tie (a dinner jacket and bow tie), sometimes with brightly colored cummerbunds or vests, though any sort of formal wear can be worn. Traditionally, girls gave boys matching boutonnieres to be worn on the tuxedoes. Girls traditionally wear formal gowns or dresses adorned with a corsage given them by their date. Often times, boys and girls will dress according to the theme of the prom - e.g. pastel suits for a Miami Vice-themed prom.

Common prom activities include dining, dancing, the crowning of a prom King and Queen, and socializing. In some cases, high school students accumulate funds for their class prom through fundraisers over the four years they attend their high school. High schools in or near large cities may rent ballrooms at expensive hotels or, to be unusual, venues such as a pleasure cruise boat. Many students group together to take limousines to their proms. Often costs are cut by using the school gym, which challenges the decorating committee to somehow mask the gym odor and drab surfaces. Music played during the dance portion of the event is normally the genre (s) most popular with the attendees.

Many high school students feel that prom is the most romantic night of their lives. They may go in a group that includes a person they have known for years; other times, students just try to find a date that they like. Many find it to be just as fun to attend with friends, not worrying about the dating aspect of the prom. Because of the age of the attendees, parents, teachers, or others usually act as chaperones for the prom and after-prom activities. The use of chaperones is intended to prevent the occurrence of violence or alcohol/drug abuse.

Some universities and colleges have proms as well, depending on the size of the graduating class in a faculty or department.

noun: the successful completion of a program of study
noun: an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred
noun: a line (as on a vessel or ruler) that marks a measurement
 

Graduation

grad·u·a·tion
Pronunciation: "gra-j&-'wA-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity; also : these marks
2 a : the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma b : COMMENCEMENT
3 : arrangement in degrees or ranks
There are certain events in your life—graduations, your wedding, first day on the job—that are real milestones in a person's life. A graduation party celebrates both a job well done and a very bright future. This year, millions of families will get together to celebrate the graduate's accomplishment and toast his or her future. It's a special day,
The days of pep rallies, class trips, team practices, and school shows are coming to an end for your child. It's time for graduation - an exciting time, but also one filled with a little sadness about saying goodbye to the past, and anxiety while looking ahead to the future.
Keep all of these feelings in mind, as you plan to celebrate your child's graduation with a special party befitting such a momentous occasion. Involve your graduate in all of the decisions, and be sure to make it a party where she has a great time making new memories to take with her into the next stage of her life.
 

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