22 Mar 15
The Surprisingly Humble Origins of PromAnd so our 1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom on Friday evening, May 15, continues this storied tradition, thanks to you.
Ah, prom. From the illicit temptation of underage drinking to the simple beauty of an over-corsaged wrist, the high school formal is an American tradition. But with the end of the prom season quickly approaching, our reader Laura wanted to know where exactly the dance originated. Matt Soniak's got the answer below.
Where Do Proms Come From?
Just in case you were home schooled in a survivalist compound, the prom is a semi-formal dinner and dance held at the end of a high school academic year. Today, the prom is completely inseparable from the American high school experience, and it often features fantastic displays of excess-- dresses with four or five figure price tags, transportation by stretch Hummer, weekend-long after-parties. But that's not exactly how the tradition started out. The first proms were held at colleges and were simple, home-grown events meant to teach good manners. More specifically, the dances got their start in the Northeast in the late 1800's. According to historians, one of the earliest references to prom comes from the journal of a male student at Amherst College who, in an entry from 1894, describes his invitation to, and experience at, an early prom at the nearby Smith College.
How they migrated to high schools is another story. Parents and educators thought that a (heavily chaperoned!) formal dinner and dance would instill social skills and etiquette in young adults, so they started holding their own versions of the balls for the rich and well-to-do. They even borrowed the name; "prom" is a shortened form of promenade, the march of guests at the beginning of a ball or formal event.
By the early 1900s, the prom had spread to high schools. The very early ones were like those held at colleges: the senior class, dressed in their "Sunday best," gathered in the gym for tea and light refreshments, socializing and dancing under crepe paper streamers and the watchful eyes of chaperones. But by the '30s, proms were being held nationwide. The events began to feature a banquet dinner with music provided by a local band or a record player. And in 1936, "The Junior-Senior Prom: Complete Practical Suggestions for Staging the Junior-Senior Prom," the first guide to planning and holding a prom, was published.
Up until the 1950s, proms were still being held in high school gyms. But as the country benefited from the America's post-war economy, proms began to transform into more elaborate events. Gym were abandoned for banquet halls, hotels and country clubs. Of course, the fancier venues necessitated special shopping trips for the perfect prom dress. The emergence of prom dresses, in turn, gave rise to the prom corsage. By the end of the 80s, the prom had taken on almost larger-than-life status, which it  maintains it today-- a far cry from its humble beginnings.
http://mentalfloss.com/article/21916/surprisingly-humble-origins-prom
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22 Mar 15
Originally posted by Grampy Bobby"Since then the horizon of Senior Prom Date preferences has gradually expanded."
Originally posted by hakima
"I thought this was a Senior Prom. The last senior prom I attended, there were only two drinks...hooch in the punch bowl or hooch in a flask...
..."
Since then the horizon of Senior Prom Date preferences has gradually expanded.
On Friday evening, May 15, 2015, our policy will be: Suum cuique
My own interpretation of "senior" has changed.
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22 Mar 15
1 edit
The post that was quoted here has been removedA page back he said "Suum cuique."
Further to the origins of the prom -- Speculation: An ancient spring festival involving the young that have reached puberty and are going to reproduce anyway, so some structure and supervision was put on it.
Originally posted by JS357This was one of several articles I read doing my 'senior student homework' before starting this thread which provided reasonable assurance of "prom" awareness on both sides of the pond: "Debutante balls are also arranged in Australia.
The US connection that GB posted is no longer exclusive to the US, if it ever was.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom
...describes similar gatherings in numerous countries.
The term "prom" is becoming more common in the UK and Canada due to the influence of US TV shows and movies."
In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, prom (short for promenade) is a semi-formal (black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (i.e., the last year of high school). Prom figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it "junior prom" while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom" or "senior ball". In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.Thanks, JS.
At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and seniors are usually awarded these titles. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called "Prom Prince" or "Prom Princess." Other students may be honored with inclusion in a "Prom Court." The selection method for Prom Court is similar to that of Homecoming Queen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports. The Prom Queen and Prom King may be given crowns to wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.
Similar events take place in many other parts of the world. In Australia, the terms school formal, and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in senior years. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland a debutante ball or Debs may also be held. Debutante balls are also arranged in Australia. The term "prom" is becoming more common in the UK and Canada due to the influence of US TV shows and movies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom
23 Mar 15
The post that was quoted here has been removed1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom
"When & Where: Our 1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom will be held on Friday, May 15th, 2015, with all GMT Zones synchronized to 1900 Hours or 7:00 PM, in the spacious RHP Ballroom directly behind the Code Monkey's Profile."
Duchess64, rest assured our virtual 1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom will be unlike those any of us have ever attended.
23 Mar 15
Originally posted by HandyAndyDischarged from the paralysis rehab facility on April 2, 2012. Thanks for your concern.
Will the hospital let you out for the weekend, or were you planning to wear a disguise like last time?
Will you be escorting your wife to our1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom?
23 Mar 15
Originally posted by JS357I am a university senior who will be graduating a week before the ascribed date of this particular virtual shin-dig...and I will achieve my 53rd birthday in a weeks time...that makes me a nearly senior senior for this virtual Senior Prom.
"Since then the horizon of Senior Prom Date preferences has gradually expanded."
My own interpretation of "senior" has changed.
😉
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Originally posted by hakimaCongratulations!
I am a university senior who will be graduating a week before the ascribed date of this particular virtual shin-dig...and I will achieve my 53rd birthday in a weeks time...that makes me a nearly senior senior for this virtual Senior Prom.
😉
Oh yes, 53; old enough to know better, yet young enough to get away with it. 🙂
Prom Theme IdeasNote: We need your creative ideas on the theme for our 1st Annual Red Hot Pawn Senior Prom on Friday evening, May 15.
The best prom theme ideas incorporate classic elegance with whimsical fun, making for a memorable evening for everyone. Prom themes can be tricky: You've got to please a whole class of [RHP Senior] students, and not everyone will agree.[Duh... lol] Prom committee meetings can involve heated discussions about whether Under the Sea will make for prettier decorating than Enchanted Garden. This list includes some of the most popular prom theme ideas. See yours on the list? Vote it up -- unless you hate it. Then, of course, vote it down. Way down. Down under the enchanted sea, where your heart goes on and on. You get the idea. If you have a great prom theme idea that isn't listed, definitely add it. Prom committees everywhere will thank you.
A great prom theme is all about the atmosphere. The right theme for prom makes decorating a breeze. Some prom themes will involve more elaborate decorations, and they'll certainly be more costly. Transforming a school gym into a full-out casino, complete with games and tables and slot machines can cost a pretty penny. If your prom budget is big, then go big, by all means! But if you're on a budget, sticking to something fairly simple is always best. A Black and White prom theme, for example, is classic and elegant, but decorating won't break the bank.
Each year, newer, contemporary prom themes emerge. Usually, these are prom themes based on movies, television shows and/or certainly songs. Empire State of Mind, for example, is a great way to combine an incredibly popular song with a New York City theme for prom. Dancing With the Stars is also popular -- and really, you just need a nice ballroom and (of course) a ginormous mirror ball hanging from the ceiling. Movie-wise, a prom theme like My Heart Will Go On give a nod to Titanic -- a film that manages equal parts romance and utter disaster...much like, well, prom! Other movie prom themes include Alice in Wonderland, The Time of Our Lives (think 'Dirty Dancing' ) and An Affair to Remember.
Hopefully this list of prom theme ideas will inspire you. Prom really is one of the highlights of high school, and the big dance's theme is one you'll remember for a lifetime. Another huge prom deal? The dresses! If you're looking for great ideas, check out these lists for the best prom dress designers, mermaid prom dresses vintage prom dresses and 2012 prom couture looks." http://www.ranker.com/list/prom-theme-ideas/prom-queen? [bracket text mine]