After a long two years of traditional school events being altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prom Committee is ready to bring the school community back to normalcy as it hosts “A Night at the Norton” on Apr. 9.

Prom is overseen by French and Spanish teacher Ms. Colleen Donnelly and planned by a committee of juniors, led by Sky Jones. Jones is responsible for leading each committee meeting and approving any prom-related decisions. Other leaders
of the prom committee include Chair of Fundraising Maddie Popilek, Decoration Chairs Kate Grande and Ella Ladd, Chair of Media Eden Donor, and Chair of Activities Grace Tighe.

Ms. Donnelly took on the task of planning prom this spring when she became chair of the junior class. She received helpful advice from previous Prom Committee advisor and Arts and Innovation Department Chair Ms. Melissa Ford, but she also credits the success of this year’s planning to the dedicated and enthusiastic juniors.

“The Prom Committee has been an integral part of ensuring that Prom 2022 will be sensational and enjoyed by all. Right from the first meeting, this group of dynamic juniors busily shared thoughts on themes, activities and decorating. They showed great enthusiasm and no shortage of ideas, but what still stands out to me is the way the group works together to ensure our monthly fundraising dress down days are organized, efficient and profitable, among other things,”said Ms. Donnelly.

Prom will be held at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach and will go from 8 to 11 pm. While planning the event, Jones noted the difficulty of putting together certain details that the diverse student body will enjoy.

“Planning prom has been a fun experience, but it also is hard trying to plan an event that everyone will enjoy because people may have different preferences on themes and activities. As a committee, it was also difficult to come up with fundraising ideas that the whole school will want to participate in and be willing to spend money on,” she said.

Seniors, such as Ali Brown, are excited to see what the class of 2023 will bring to prom having already experienced what planning the event is like.

“I was on Prom Committee last year, and it was so much work to coordinate everything. The whole process is really difficult, so I commend the juniors for their initiative and appreciate their hard work,” said Brown.

Prom tickets will be available until Mar. 25, when both payment and any required forms will need to be turned out. Formal as well as appropriate attire is required for students and guests to be able to attend.

After a long year of hard work, Ms. Donnelly is excited to see everyone enjoy their night, especially after a difficult two years of uncertainty.

“I am looking forward to that moment when I can just stand back and quietly observe the outcome, see-
ing the students thoroughly enjoying themselves. The smiles, the laughter, the joy of being together to celebrate senior year along with our junior class is what this entire school year of planning has all been about. After the uncertain past couple of years of their
high school experience, I am grateful that our senior class will be able to benefit from the recent transition to an increased normalization of daily life,” she said.