Once a year, months of preparation goes into a few hours of dancing with a special someone or friend. Prom is a big deal to most girls and guys because of the many hours spent preparing.

This year’s theme was “Masquerade Ball,” complete with masks. It took place at Abe and Jake’s in the evening. It ended with a night of bowling at Wayne and Larry’s in Lawrence.

Some students had mixed feelings about Prom.

“I wasn’t that excited for Prom. I don’t think Prom has to be a romantic event, but an excuse to dress up and look nice,” junior Marlena Arjo said.

Junior Lexie Devers had a similar opinion.

“I didn’t go with a date to Prom, I just went with my friends. It takes the stress away, and I think you can have more fun with your girls anyway,” she said.

Before Prom, Devers had a different view on getting ready.

“It took me all day.” She said. “Seriously… I went and got my hair done, had to get my makeup done too. Then we took pictures an hour before Prom with all my girls.”

Although she enjoyed preparing for the dance and the meal that came before it.

“I was ready for the food, I love food, I think it made everything worthwhile in the end,” Arjo said. “We ate at Paisano’s, and the breadsticks were the best. I had lots of laughs with my friends.”

Eating out before Prom is a tradition, one that Arjo enjoyed. It was a chance for everyone to collect themselves and relax after a day of preparing and pampering. After a nice meal, it was time to go to Abe and Jake’s, a riverfront in downtown Lawrence. Of course, every girl has worries in the back of their mind.

“I’m worried about bad weather,” Arjo said. “It will ruin my hair and makeup. Or throwing up.. That could be really bad and embarrassing.”

Another big concern for Prom attendants is falling while dancing or walking down the stairs.

“That would be a nightmare,” Arjo said. “Everyone would remember it and talk about a few days after Prom. Although they will get over it eventually.”

“Hopefully it won’t happen to me.” Arjo said.

A few days after Prom, Arjo had more insight on what happened.

“I did everything very last minute, including finding a date and dress,” She said. “I wish I had more time to get myself together and little details. My date was very good about keeping up with getting his tuxedo on time however. In the end, it all worked out and I had an amazing time.”

She had high expectations as well. Devers was disappointed in the music.

“It was lame,” Devers said. “The second half of Prom got really boring.”

“I’m expecting to get ready with Isabelle, which was fun. We helped with each others hair and eyeshadow and all that jazz. It was one of my favorite parts of the whole night.”

Many students that went had different opinions on the theme for this year, which is masquerade.

“I love masquerades. So yes, I loved the theme because I love masks… It kinda gives me a good excuse to buy yet another one. The one I’m getting is black and red, and has a bunch of poofy feathers. It also has blue, green and purple swirls. It’s really cool, just take my word for it.” Arjo said.

Once the dancing is over, the kids head over to the bowling alley for After Prom, a time to relax and laugh with your friends once your day of hard work is over.

“It was probably the best part other than eating out. I’m not very good, but it didn’t matter. I don’t know if we even kept score,” she said.