By Fiona Finchem, Opinions Editor

After hours of getting ready and taking pictures, the limo finally drops you off at prom. You walk to the rotunda door with your significant other or best friends on the red carpet, excited to experience the Carnival-themed prom. You can hear the music bumping from outside and you know you’re about to have a blast.

Thanks to Covid, the 2020 prom was canceled and last year’s event had to be held outside at the Wright Brothers Memorial. So the first “normal” FFHS prom took place last Saturday (April 2) and everyone was nervously wondering what to expect.

Personally, I had a pretty good time.

Upon entry, I made my way straight to the rotunda, where a cluster of people were dancing to the once-banger “Bleed It” by Blueface. Although I haven’t heard this song since I was 13, people seemed to be having a lot of fun jumping to it and the many songs to follow. But what happened to the songs we put on the music request form?

Complaints about the music were common, but one unique thing about this prom was that there was more to do than just dance, snack and hit the photo booth. Beyond the music and dancing remained the festive Carnival decor. 

Ooo la la.

The rotunda balcony was decorated with different colored banners and backdrops to take pictures with lights and “Prom” spelled by balloons. Balloons rained down from above when prom king and queen were announced, and when the balloons dropped, everyone started popping them all at once.

We went out with a bang, if you will. 

After dancing and taking pictures, I made my way to the gym, where many activities were set up, from a bouncy house slide to archery. I see how the bouncy house might fit the carnival theme, but I couldn’t get in because of my dress, so that was disappointing. But lots of people found fun ways to pass time during the night at the various game stations, whether fishing or doing ring toss or knocking over cans.

Then I started to get hungry. Lucky for me and any other teen famished from all the dancing, I found snow cones, popcorn and popcorn chicken served by First Flight’s very own beloved teachers. Somehow I missed out on the cotton candy when I wanted to get some even though others later in the night got some, but the idea behind the food served in the cafeteria was sound and the decorations were fun.

After seeing all there was to see downstairs, I went upstairs to the photo booth. My friends and I took photos in it, and they turned out really well. The pictures were customized with the carnival prom logo on the bottom, and I will hold on to that for the rest of my life. 

Next came prom king and queen, and it was no surprise to see Casey Piddington and Tatum Love in their crowns. It was also Casey’s birthday – happy birthday, Casey! It was such a special moment for Casey, Tatum and their friends, and it is certainly something they will never forget. 

This is precisely what prom is all about – having a memory to hold onto for the rest of your life. This was a core memory of high school that will likely never be forgotten, especially the carnival.

The fun continued for many at After Prom. See what Samuel Smith had to say about that event in this companion piece: Commentary: After Prom – a fun way to add to a meaningful night

Senior Fiona Finchem can be reached at [email protected].