A group of San Antonio women are planning a community prom for local teens
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While many schools are planning on delaying graduation ceremonies, it’s unclear what will happen to the big dance that was swept up in public health declarations banning non-essential gatherings. A few women in San Antonio are trying to answer that question with a community prom happening later in the summer. In the photo, Sarah Mason, 17, displays her prom dress at Reagan High School last month. Mason would have been crowned as the school’s prom queen in March. But schools are closed, proms have been cancelled and the city’s restrictions on gatherings have stopped even the informal workarounds some couples and parents had planned.
While many schools are planning on delaying graduation ceremonies, it’s unclear what will happen to the big dance that was swept up in public health declarations banning non-essential gatherings. A few women in
Photo: Josie Norris /Staff Photographer
While many schools are planning on delaying graduation ceremonies, it’s unclear what will happen to the big dance that was swept up in public health declarations banning non-essential gatherings. A few women in San Antonio are trying to answer that question with a community prom happening later in the summer. In the photo, Sarah Mason, 17, displays her prom dress at Reagan High School last month. Mason would have been crowned as the school’s prom queen in March. But schools are closed, proms have been cancelled and the city’s restrictions on gatherings have stopped even the informal workarounds some couples and parents had planned.
While many schools are planning on delaying graduation ceremonies, it’s unclear what will happen to the big dance that was swept up in public health declarations banning non-essential gatherings. A few women in
Photo: Josie Norris /Staff Photographer
San Antonio school campuses will remain closed for the remainder of the current school year, leaving end-of-year events like graduation and prom either postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
While many schools are planning on delaying graduation ceremonies, it’s unclear what will happen to the big dance that was swept up in public health declarations banning non-essential gatherings. A few women in San Antonio are trying to answer that question with a community prom happening later in the summer.
READ MORE: The latest news and features about coronavirus in San Antonio
Atalaya Lara spoke on behalf of the group she’s working with to put together a citywide prom for seniors on July 25. She said local businesses like Vice Boutique, Bev Does it Best, Jenn Pope Lashes, Luchi’s, Dominion Style and Lash, Wax That Beauty, CC & D, The Floral Basket and That Beauty Studio all came together to hopefully fulfill the memory of senior prom for local students.
Some of the women in the group are mothers to students who feel “one of the most important and memorable” years of their young lives was cut short due to the pandemic. While districts work on contingency plans for graduation and possibly prom, students are hosting makeshift dinners via Facetime in their gowns and tuxedos. The community prom group is hoping to give the teens an actual party to look forward to.
“Prom is such a rite of passage when you’re a senior,” Lara said.
The group went public with the idea Thursday and Lara said vendors and businesses are already reaching out to donate their services.
“San Antonio is definitely a city that loves to help,” she said. “Everyone in the community bands together to help people in need. We just love that so many people are willing to help us out with this.”
ON EXPRESSNEWS.COM: San Antonio high school proms are coronavirus prey — even the workarounds
The organizer said the group is working to make the night “as special” as possible. Party essentials like decorations, tables and chairs, food, a photographer and security are still needed.
Lara is aware of the fluidity of the pandemic and the stay-at-home orders being used to manage it. She is hoping the current July date will stand, but says the group is willing to postpone further if orders are extended.
A Facebook event page will be posted as more details are finalized. In the meantime, Lara is welcoming anyone with questions or interest in donating services to reach out to her on her social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram.
Madalyn Mendoza covers news and puro pop culture for MySA.com | [email protected] | @maddyskye
