By MADDY VITALE
The prom is a milestone in the lives of high school students, where memories are made and friendships forged that can last a lifetime.
But last year, there was no Ocean City High School prom. It was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year is different. With people getting vaccinated and safety measures in place to host a celebration outdoors, on May 22, starting at 6 p.m., seniors will walk the red carpet for the prom. All health and safety protocols must be strictly adhered to, including wearing masks.
From there, they will enjoy a catered dinner, dance to the tunes of a DJ and enjoy a night in Carey Stadium.
“We were determined to have something for them,” Ocean City High School Principal Dr. Matthew Jamison said. “We are so pleased that it panned out and we can hold the prom. Everything is starting to come together and resemble the norm.”
On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that outdoor gatherings will be increased by 50 percent to 500 people. The change will take place May 10.
That opened the door to allow all 325 Ocean City seniors to be able to attend the outdoor prom, as well as some dates. Updates on prom specifics should follow this week, Dr. Jamison said.
“We are very happy that the restrictions were loosened up a bit. Every senior can purchase a ticket,” Dr. Jamison noted. “We believe we can make it work within the limits placed on us by the governor.”
In addition, the governor said that 250 people could attend indoor gatherings, which allows for larger catered events such as proms and weddings.
Social distancing was part of Ocean City High School's 2020 graduation.
The high school graduation is scheduled for June 15. Dr. Jamison said more details will follow and a lot will depend on the pandemic and the governor's decisions.
The prom will run until 10 p.m. and then the night will transition into an After Prom celebration. The After Prom Committee organizes the event chaired by Jennifer Bowman and Amy Holmes. Details of the After Prom will be announced later.
The celebration goes until 1 a.m. It will feature non-alcoholic activities and games for prom-goers. The After Prom is designed to keep students safe and engaged in positive things after the prom.
And while last year there was a red carpet event for seniors, the two other major activities students look forward to had to be canceled -- the prom and After Prom.
That meant some students graduated without experiencing a prom and the seniors this year did not have a junior prom.
Dr. Jamison credited a group of seniors who are in charge of preparations for the prom for the successful planning that has culminated into what will be a special and memorable night.
“The senior leadership has been outstanding through the whole prom planning. I couldn’t be more impressed and proud of them for the leadership that they have shown,” Dr. Jamison added. “They clearly understood the issues and were willing to work within the boundaries. They are a pleasure and a joy to work with.”
The prom's red carpet event is the beginning to a memorable evening for seniors.
