Traditions

On my prom night, during that whole day i hung out with all my girl friends. As usual we all wait until the last minute to do everything so we had to go get our prom dresses from the store we had gotten them from. Of course we got our hair and nails done that same day, so we were running a little behind on everything else. First we stopped at the nail place and we ( all 8 of my friends and i) got that out of the way, that didnt take long it only took about an hour and a half for all of us. By the time that was out of the way it was about 11 am. Now mind you the prom starts at 7pm but we had agreed with our dates that we would meet at my boyfriends house at 5:30pm just to hang out for a little and take some pictures. So after we got our nails done we rushed over to get our hair done, this had taken longer then i had expected i thought that we would be in there for a max of like 2 hours but boy was i wrong. the last one of my friends to leave the stylists chair got up 4 hours after we walked through the door. By this point we had 2 hours and 30 mins to be dressed and ready to go to my boyfriends house to meet our dates. Now we had to pick up the formal dresses , which by the way the dress shop we got them from was about 45 mins to and 45 from where we were. so we like sped the whole way there and decided to just put on our dresses there and we would just do our make up and stuff in the car. well boy that went bad too. walking out of the dress shop on of my friends was in suck a rush she tripped and ripped part of her dress. luckly we were right outside the dress shop we ran inside and she got it sewn up as much as she could and that only took about 10 mins. now that we all had our dresses on, our hair done , and our nails done all we had left to do was get our make up on and get over to meet the boys. we all decided that we would just wait until we got over to meet the boys to do our make up. we pull up to my boyfriends house with 5 mins to spair before the asset time we all agreed to meet to find all the car's gone. we get out of the car and i went and unlocked the door, and sure enough no one was home. Well we didnt have the time to wonder where all the boy's were so we took advantage of having the house to ourselves. We all rushed into the bathrooms and what ever mirrors we could find and we all did our make up. somehow we managed to get everything done and who comes walking through the door but all our dates. they had their tuxes on and we were all ready to go. the guys were all so impressed. They were amazed that we were all at the house and ready to go before they even got back from going to pick up their tuxes. Little do they know we all finished getting ready at the house right before they got there. Once we all got to prom it was the best time in the world. Beautiful decorations, wonderful food, awesome songs, all our friends, beautiful gowns, hot guys, everything anyone could imagine. after prom we all went back to my boyfriends to change our clothes and then we went camping for a week, it was so fun i had the best time in the world. but that was my crazy exciting stresful prom night. any girl who is going to prom make sure you plan ahead of time it will save you a lot of stressing and running around!!!!!!!!!! but its all worth it in the end!!!

-- Jamie Burdo East Hartford High School East Hartford CT

Here in my town, people go absolutely nuts around prom time. First of all evening dresses are bought MONTHS in advance. We have both Junior and Senior Prom, but you can bring who ever you would like, in or out of the school, any age. Before the dance, people usually all meet somewhere either to eat dinner or at someones house to take pictures. After that Limos and just regular cars are driven to the Prom, which is usually in nearby towns. The dance is usually awesome and if it is senior prom, it includes dinner. After the parties are crazy, smoking, drinking, partying its insane!! Something definetly to look forward to!

-- ABC Waterford High School Waterford CT



Our tradition is to miss the friday we have the prom. The girls have to get their hair done and nails. So most of them miss that day. Which is no big deal because the principal knows that the girls didn't come to school because they had to get their hair done. The boys don't have any tradition except to look good.

-- Pauline Belle Galde FL



At our school, the tradition is that all the gurls go and get there hair done together,eat supper together and do sumthing fun together before grad.This may be the last nite we are all together again!

-- Onie Sudbury ON



In Canada, we have a graduation, or grad, not a prom. Grad is for grade 12's only, but your date doesn't have to be. The grad day is almost always a Saturday, but here in the city, they do it Fridays too, otherwise they'd never get through all the high schools! This year, my school's theme is 'Under the Serengeti Sunset'. We have to get up early Saturday morning, because the graduation ceremony starts at 9:00. The grad ceremony is where the whole graduating class is presented with their diplomas. It lasts for three hours, and it's so boring after you and your friends have gone, but they lock you in so you can't leave until everyone has gone up. Then, the girls all rush off to get to hair and makeup appointments while the guys lounge around. This year, my girlfriends are all coming to my house to get ready together, after hair and makeup. Then our dates are coming to my house too, for drinks and pictures before the limo comes, and then we drive around for an hour before dinner. After dinner, we go to an after-grad party, either at someone's ranch in the country or at a nightclub downtown, and party until early in the morning! We have a Grad Week that starts the Saturday of our grad starts a whole Grad Week of parties where we get ready to say goodbye to all our friends as we leave for university.

-- Lauryn Calgary AB



Here at good ol' Carbon High... the whole Prom event starts with the asking. Instead of just coming out and asking a girl, the guys do some "cutsie" way of asking... *Example: my date gave me a bag of tootsie rolls and balloons filled with shaving cream with a letter that said "Hey 'toots'... I noticed you're a pretty 'smooth' gal, and would 'burst with joy if you went to Prom with me" and then I had to pop all the balloons to find his name.* (The girls answer in some cleaver way too.) In Utah, Prom is a whole-day event. Instead of spending the day primping or yadda- yadda, it is spent hiking, 4- wheeling, going to a nearby miniature golf place... whatever "day date" activity the guys have planned. After the day date, there is usually about 2 hours to get ready before dinner, pictures, etc. happen. We also have a Promenade. Since it's "Junior Prom" here, the Juniors are announced and they walk down a runway as parents/friends watch and take pictures. Since Price is a small town, the newspaper folks are also there and there's usually a page or two featuring the pictures taken there. (Last year, my date and I had our picture in it!) After the dance, people go with their groups to someone's house and just kick back and watch a movie until it's cerfew time. Prom here is a blast! :)

-- Wendalyn Price UT

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Our traditions are VERY different to yours. In New Zealand we have balls instead but they are the same thing. Always on Saturday nights. During the day the girls get hair make up etc done. Guys usally play rugby. You always have a partener and they pick you up and take you too the pre ball where you meet your group of friends and have drinks. Parents usually are invited to that. THen you hire a bus/limo/train/horse and cart, and go to a flash hotel or the town hall and there we are given dinner then dance usually till midnite then we get change and go to the after party! which is HUGE! usually at a farm in a few padocks with music and anyone can go even if they didnt go to the ball. there is lots of alcohol and it usually finishes at 6am Sunday. then everyone goes home and sleeps it off. Very few people go back to school on monday. We have it in the middle of the year. Its the best!

-- Sarah New Zealand

At my school everyone goes all out. All the boys hier suits and the girls by Jovani prom dresses, and shoes - very expensive! You must go to school the day of the prom otherwise you cannot go to. After the prom there is an after party that everyone goes to.(To get drunk.) We all hier limos which involves spending £80 for one!!! In total for my prom on Thusday (May 10th 2001) i am spending over £100.

-- Jenny Liverpool UK



At my school, we have three major traditions... Winter Ball, which is sponsored by the Sophomores... Junior Prom, which is sponsored by the Juniors... and Senior Ball, which is sponsored by the Seniors. For each class, the class under it works (ie. Frosh work during Winter Ball, Sophs during Junior Prom, etc.) Winter Ball is normally on a Friday night in Alameda.... Junior Prom is on a Saturday night somewhere in the East Bay (ie. Oakland, Berkley)... and Senior Ball is on a Saturday night in San Francisco. Winter Ball and Junior Prom are open to the whole school while Senior Ball is only for the seniors unless you get invited. The tradition is the week before prom you get your nails done and go tanning... the day of you get your hair and make-up done in San Francisco at a department store and then go pick up the boutineer for your date... The dance normally starts at 8 so many people go in groups to dinner and then to the dance. During the dance there are pictures, refreshments and the crowning of court. After the dance people either go to hotel parties, house parties or the beach where people normally drink and just hang out until the next morning.

-- Angela Almeda CA



Every year here, we make a big deal out of prom. The junior class hosts it for the seniors (seniors get a free ticket and a gift). It has been held the past two years at the Polk County Convention center becuase we have had a graduating class of about 550. It is held on a Saturday night. Most people rent limos or go in nice cars. Most people spend Saturday getting ready and going to dinner at an expensive restaurant. At the dance we have a DJ, who most of the time, forgets to play the theme song. Then afterward, we have an After-Prom Party at Valley West Mall, which we rent out. There is usually some cheesy gifts and bad entertainment. Then we all go to a pre-paid breakfast at a deignated restaurant. It's a lot of fun, but we always end up asleep all day Sunday.

-- Amanda Des Moines IA



Our Prom is called "grad", at the beginning of the year the class begins to have fundraisers to raise money throughout the year to pay for our decorations, and whatever is needed for the supper and dance. We all begin getting ready girls with girls guys/guys, usually, having a few brews at the same time. everybody gets together and goes to the supper. The supper is usually catered, then the speeches are done by teachers and students, then our diplomas are given out, after all that we get a band to play for the after party, end up staying out till the next day and ruining our expensive dreses, and head to a friends hose to get smashed all over again. all those years of school makes two days well worth it!

-- Nikki Chevery QC



Prom is always held on Sat. at some big fancy place, one year they had it at the Rock and Roll hall of fame. Ours this year is at some old court house in dowtown Cleveland. On Sat. all the girls get their hair, nails, and make- up done. The limo usally picks everybody up at one house, from there we will go to the metroparks and take pretty pitures. Then it is off to prom. The prom is until 12 then we go to the "after prom" at the high school were they have casino, and games. That lasts till 5 in the morning and then we all go home to get ready to go camping on Sunday night, which is just a big party. Then who ever isn't hung over goes to Cedar Point on Monday!

-- Jenny North Olmsted OH

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every year we have our prom in sometime in the last week of June! we have what is called Safe Grad! which is held at a local hotel ball room! it's a all night event starting at 7pm with a dinner, music, karakokee,play auction, play gambeling more music, all you can eat buffetts etc.. i haven't been to one yet but i heard they are soo much fun and amazing!! being apart of the Safe Grad Comitee this year is awesome! i am designing the invatation and a Grad surprise! which is whoa! i can't tell cause it's a suprise! :P sorry! lol anyhooo have an awesome Prom night and keep the memories alive! this will be a memorie that will hopefully be with you forever!

-- Dana NS

Our grad is held in 2 days. The first night is Commensments and this is when we receive out diploma and get to wear the caps and gowns. After this there is a party. The next day is the actual Grad. We get all deckedc out, meet up with out dates, cruise around in limos, drinking champagne and then meet at legislative grounds for pictures. Then we go to the Grad. banquet. Here we have a supper, presentations and then the dance. The dance goes till about 12:30 then off to SafeGrad wich is a party for the gards and their dates that is in a secluded secret location and everyone is bused there and back home so no one drives drunk. Funest night ever!!

-- Nikki & Marto Fort Alberta Saskatchewan



Okay, well, in new Zealand we don't have a prom like yours, we call it a ball. It's usually around June- August, the middle of the year (our school year finishes in December). At our school it's on a Saturday so the chicks spend all damn day getting ready for it, it starts at about 7pm and finishes at 11:30, which is when the fun REALLY starts. We go to the after-party. An organisation called SADD (students against drink driving) organises it and they put us on buses and take us to a mystery location. They get a DJ and food and stuff, and people don't normally get home till about 4am. The other thing about it is getting a partner isn't the be all and end all, like it seems to be for you. Most people think it's more fun going in a big group with your mates. At our school, only 6th and 7th formers can attend (the seniors, the last 2 years of school). This year the theme is 'a starry starry night'. It should be a blast.

-- Rain New Zealand



Well here in Edmonton, Alberta...we dont have prom. We have a graduation. Grad usally happens a month before school is actually finished b/c at the end of June is when we have our diploma exams. Grad is us a two day event. The first night is ceremonies. I go to a Roman Catholic High School so that means we have ceremonies at a church where the mass is incorporated into our graduation. That night is when the diplomas are handed out. Everyone is in their cap and gown and after cermonies (aka commencements) everyone takes pictures outside for parents and friends. After that night everyone goes out to party. Usually one big house party where EVERYONE is at. The next day is the Banquet. The morning is spent primping and getting ready. Hair, nails, make- up...the guys...doing whatever they do...at around 12:00- 1:00pm the grads all start making their way to this place we have called the legislative building. It is so beautiful there and whenever any highschool has a grad thats where friends always go to take pictures. Grads will decided to take limos, or sometimes rent Hummers, other nice vechicles or like we saw once a hot-tub firetruck. A firetruck with a hot tub in the back!!! Pictures are usually at 2:00pm...after all the pictures are done...grads will drive around the city in their vechile...until about 530- 600...when the grad go to the banquet...along with family, parents, and friends. The grads come in a procession and have dinner with their families at the tables. After there is a dance..where there is a dj. Grads will usually leave this party 11pm/12am...while the rest of the guest (parents/families) stay and dance the night away. The grads will leave..usually go home and change into sweats and runners, and big sweaters...grag their drinks and head to school. Back at school a parent organized party is about to start. Yellow buses are awaiting the grads. After loading the induvidually named drinks..onto another bus. The grads are driven out to a secluded place. A farm, acerage...something away from the city. This is called the AFTERGRAD...where everyone has a blast, drinking..doing whatever, chillin around the campfire...until about 7:00am...when they are driven back to school on the buses. Picked up there, and then spend the rest of the day SLEEPING!!! GRAD 2002 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

-- Anne Edmonton AB



At our school we have many traditions. I am in the 50th class to graduate from our school. Now as long as anyone can remeber there has been Grad Drunk. This is when ALL of the grads (and a few parents) go to the Helipad and well... get Drunk (hence the name.) The thing that sucks is that it always happens on the same day at the same place every year (so the cops know where to put roadblocks) and its on a wensday (if you don't show up on thursday you are suspendid). Then there is grad rehersal. The day before grad (first friday of june) we rehearse how we will seat ourselves and in what order we walk the stage. After that's over most people get their professional grad pics taken or go over to a friend's house to reminice about all thier years together. Finally DAY OF GRAD. Between the hours of 11am-2pm girls (and some guys) get their hair done. Then its back home to get dress on. Then its off to dinner with friends and family. Then you get driven to a friend's house and the limo or party bus picks you up. Then we wait at the front door ohhing and aahhing at everyone until the parents are seated. Then its into our line up then we graduate. Then time for the FUN! DRY GRAD!!!!! Everyone gets into the other side of our arena and we have a 2 hour dance (to dance with parents and our dates) Then when the parents leave... Its off with the Paris prom dresses, into jeans and t- shirts. We raise money all year to get sumo suits, a magician, a hypnotist, a fake tattoo artist, a fortune teller, fake gambling slots, food, velcrow wall and basically anything we can afford. Then the next week we have a grad fashion show at the school for all of the grad 10 and 11's. Then its time to cram for provincials. Its a long hard but fun process.

-- Stacey Port Alberny BC



Every year for the past 7 years, our high school show choir has sung "Friends" by Micheal W. Smith at graduation. It's the perfect song for the perfect graduation.

-- Casey Ft. Recovery OH

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