Washington Community High School juniors and seniors and their guests filled the Peoria Civic Center Exhibition Hall A for a night of dancing at this year’s prom, Shanghai Noon.
Although Washington has a banquet facility of its own, school administrators chose to keep the prom at the civic center because of a lack of space.
Superintendent Jim Dunnan said they looked at having the event at the Five Points Washington banquet facility, but because the number of students and chaperones tops about 500, it would have been too tight a fit.
About 90 percent of the students filled the dance floor at any given time following the dinner portion of the evening.
However, the Five Points banquet rooms were not empty this weekend, with Morton High School choosing it as their venue for their prom Saturday.
While last year’s prom elicited complaints about the appropriateness of some of the girls’ dresses, Todd Helrigel said this year’s group of students, especially the senior class, was fairly conservative.
This year’s royal queen candidates were seniors Jamie Fussner, Stephanie Johnson and Ashley Schrock.
King candidates were seniors Chase Catton, David Dalfonso and Tyler Wright.
Last year’s king and queen, Mike Minehan and Erin Vallosio, returned to crown Schrock and Wright, who injured his shoulder playing rugby the day before, as the new royalty.
Following the dance, students changed into casual clothes and headed to the high school for After Midnight.
After Midnight is a carnival-style event from midnight to 4 a.m., giving students the opportunity to continue prom festivities in a safe environment.
As students checked in with parent volunteers, they were required to turn in their keys, which were returned at the end of the event.
Parents were informed of any student who wanted/needed to leave prior to the end.
Traditionally, After Midnight activities include snack foods and beverages, games and inflatable activities such as the bungee run. This year a climbing wall and obstacle course were added.
Students receive “money” that can then be used to get prizes at the end of the event.
This year, organizers decided to include an added attraction and brought in a hypnotist.
Students filed into Torry Gym to watch some of their fellow students “perform” while under the influence of hypnosis.
With prom just a memory, WCHS seniors, faculty, staff and the administration are preparing for graduation May 17.
