The lights were dim, but balloons filled the hallways as music pulsed through the open doors and spilled out, carrying along with it the promise of memories to be made and fun times to be had as Portage High School hosted Prom Night 2021.
Kaitlyn Underwood, math teacher at Portage High School, was this year’s prom sponsor.
“We really wanted to have a prom for our students this year, but we had to also make sure that we could do that and abide by all the necessary COVID-19 restrictions,” Underwood said. “Thankfully, we were able to get approval to have the prom here in our fieldhouse.”
The inside of the fieldhouse was transformed, with safely partitioned, distanced tables for the attendees to sit at, a large, divided dance floor with lights and lasers by MB Events dancing from corner to corner, and tunes provided by Joshua from Party DJ’s, who made sure to keep the party rocking. Image Perfect Photography was set-up to take posed photos of the happy couples.
“We also have food available from several food trucks parked outside the fieldhouse,” Underwood added.“The kids really wanted to have a prom this year, so they’re really excited to be able to have this experience.”
Melissa Deavers-Lowie, communications director for Portage Township Schools, said that this year’s prom marked a departure from past events.
“We decided to host the prom right here at the high school this year,” Deavers-Lowie said. “We usually had it in Valparaiso at the expo center, but we’re super excited to be able to have it right here this year.”
Deavers-Lowie said that they expected to have 300 students attending prom this year.
“We’re excited, and I think that the students are really excited to be able to have prom this year. It’s so important for them to be able to have this night and to be able to spend some time with their friends after such a crazy year.”
Lea Lopez attended this year’s prom with her date, Jaiden Hurrle.
“We’re so excited just to be able to be here tonight,” said Lopez.
“We didn’t even have a chance to have one last year, so this is terrific,” Hurrle added. “We’re really thankful for everything that the school and the prom committee did, all the work they put in to make this possible.”
After some final words of encouragement from school administrators, students laughed and danced as the music carried them on through what will most surely be a night that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.
And the lesson of the night? Despite even the greatest of challenges, life – and music – will go on.
Congratulations to Portage High School and to everyone who came out for Prom Night 2021!