Eagle Grove High School juniors and seniors are beyond excited to hear that this year’s prom is on after the festivities were canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Kaitlin Sampson, a senior this year, admitted she was upset last year when prom got cancelled due to COVID. She and her two sisters, Megan and Hannah, had already purchased their dresses before they got the news.
“We saved them to wear for this year so I am happy that we can go to prom this year. Being able to have it for our senior year is nice. I hope everyone can stay safe and healthy,” said Sampson. "Overall I’m just glad we can have one and I hope we can make the best of what we can.”
Like all teenagers, the Sampsons just assumed there would be a prom last year. They thought it was something that would always be there, withstanding the test of time. So needless to say, they, along with their peers, are grateful for all the administration has done to make the event possible this year, even if there will be some COVID modifications.
The big “Diamonds are Forever” night will take place on Saturday, May 1 at the Eagle Grove High School gym from 8 p.m. to midnight. Per the mandate by Wright County Public Health, there will unfortunately be no Grand March prior to the dance as in years past. While this may be disappointing for many, what’s most important is the fact that it is for the safety of our students – and at least they still get to have a prom. Masks will be required at this event. Also, once a student enters the school, they will not be allowed to leave and then re-enter, which is a normal standing dance expectation be it COVID or not.
“I am very grateful that our administration is allowing us to have prom safely. As a senior, I know this has been a very frustrating year. We weren’t allowed to attend our classmates basketball games or wrestling meets due to having restrictions. Half of our fall sport seasons were taken away due to the entire district being put in quarantine,” said Heidi Garcia. “Our senior year has been far from normal. I’m glad that with all that we went through in the past and currently going through now due to COVID, the administration has allowed us to have a prom. Some of my classmates have never gone to prom. If the administration would have said “No,” some of my classmates would have graduated high school without knowing what it’s like to go to prom.”
Garcia went on to say that even if it means having to take different safety measures, they are all very appreciative of the district’s decision.
“A huge thank you to the administration for allowing us to have a prom,” Garcia said.
