Saturday is a big day at Ocean City High School with the Junior and Senior Prom taking place at the Flanders Hotel, and the After Prom slated on the school campus.
The After Prom’s focus is providing students with a safe drug and alcohol-free atmosphere to continue the party, long after the last dance at the Prom itself.
Almost 600 students are expected to attend After Prom.
There will be an open house for the public on Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m.during which anyone may come to the 6thSt entrance of the school and experience what the students will feel when they arrive at the event. Then, from 9 p.m. on, the event volunteers are invited.
Organizers said this year’s After Prom said the theme of the event will focus on Ocean City’s proud history. Ocean City’s founding principles will be highlighted, and emphasized through donated materials from the Ocean City Historical Museum.
“The committee felt that we should make a tribute to the town, which is always giving, giving and giving some more,” said Amy Holmes, whose son Matthew is a junior at OCHS and will be attending the Prom and the After Prom. “It is an honor for the committee and the volunteers to have the opportunity to give back.”
Attendance at the event is not required, nor are students required to stay the entire time. However, there are incentives for those who do stay from After Prom’s 11:15 p.m. start until its 4:30 a.m. end point. Additionally, organizers said students who do not attend the Prom are also welcome at After Prom. Random cash drawings will take place throughout the event and one junior will walk away with a $500 prize and a senior will receive $1,000.
Among the highlights will be contests offering prizes, DJ dancing, live music, inflatables, and food and beverages.
“It’s going to be exciting to see the students coming into their school and the entire East Wing of the building has been transformed into something completely different,” Holmes said.
Holmes said the historic theme of the event was quite fitting for many town residents. She and her husband Bill, both attended OCHS, as did both of their parents. The same is true of committee member Jennifer Bowman and her husband Charlie. Talk about history. But After Prom is a chance for today’s students to make some history of their own, she said.
“We feel that teenagers like to pull all-nighters, and here is a chance for them to have a night of fun, of entertainment, of being with their friends, free of the temptations of alcohol or drugs,” Holmes said. “These temptations are there so often, and it’s gratifying to be a part of an event that is fun…and it is all goodness.”
