Bella Logan
eSomethin staff
Prom 2026 will transport you to the tropical biome and lifestyle in Rio on April 18th, 2592 Parkway Plaza in Maumee, Ohio. Prom is all about music, dresses, tuxedos, dancing, food, and lifetime memories. There’s also lots of work, people, and planning that goes into creating the decorations and preparations for Prom.
Elyza Byrd, a junior, is the student council treasurer. Although the actual monetary matters are not up to her, she still does a lot of work. She helps work on bonding for the council, and works very hard on decorations and the photobooth for Prom.
Byrd said, “I look most forward to setting everything up and seeing the final product of what we have been working so hard on and spending many hours on. My experience on my committee and in this council has been amazing, we all work so well together and have become closer because of this experience.”
Lucy Barkholz, a junior who is one of the heads of themes and decorations, said that there’s a lot more that goes into Prom than students know.
“Throughout the past 3 years, we all have been fundraising for this prom. A lot of people don’t realize all of those annoying fundraisers we are always posting about directly go to their proms, which is why we really try to get student support,” Barkholz said. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to create the magic of Prom. “The process has been scrolling for hours on Amazon, creating spreadsheets, budgeting, and going to our venue to pick menus, table colors, and decor.”
Prom is a project, and there are many people who work on it behind the scenes and put in the hard work to create a great memory.
Barkholz said, “Overall the process has been so fun. Our council is so helpful, everyone works together and gets along well. I am so grateful to be a part of the process this year, and hopefully the senior class is not disappointed with our efforts!” Barkholz works closely with Kylie Ruiz, who is also a junior and head of themes and decorations. Although, there is a whole committee that works together and puts so much effort into Prom.
There is so much that goes on behind the scenes of Prom that most attendees and students do not realize or know about. It is important to recognize and appreciate the hard work that goes into creating such a memorable experience and night for all of the students who attend. Prom is about happy memories, awesome fashion, and is a proud night for all those who worked so hard to make it happen.
The work that goes into Prom is what makes it all function and it makes it into a great memory.
But aside from the preparations, fashion is always a huge part of Prom. So, how does Perrysburg High School pack its bags for Rio?
What kind of attire would students wear and rock in a tropical place? This year’s Prom is full of questions, but one thing that’s certain is that the fashion trends are in the hands of the students.
Some stores that become popular each year around Prom time are expensive dress boutiques and dressmakers. But, those stores can rack up a hefty price, especially if you are shopping for the whole shabang: dress, shoes, jewelry, hair pieces, clutches, etc.
Sometimes the receipts that come with Prom can be very overwhelming and can discourage seniors who deserve a happy memory like Prom without financial guilt. So, what are some inexpensive alternatives that can make Prom fun and fashionable while still not breaking the bank?
Some inexpensive alternative stores to buy from are Windsor, Shoe Carnival, Dillard’s, Macy’s, and thrift stores.
Windsor is always a popular store for any dance like Prom. They have pretty inexpensive dresses with popular styles. Their prices range from around $30-$100. They often have deals and sales, especially for out of season dresses if you’re thinking ahead of time. Windsor also has shoes, purses, and jewelry that could easily create a very fashionable look for Prom that would make you stand out. They have a lot of popular styles like satin dresses, sequins or studded designs, etc. A dress that is very stylish and on the cheaper end is Windsor’s $69 Gretchen Floral Lace Formal Dress.
Shoe Carnival is a great place to go for your accessories: purses, heels, jewelry, etc. They have an entire sale wall that is regularly filled with heels. They also have a whole section dedicated to looks for a dance with bedazzled heels and bags, and fashionable accessories like hair pieces.
Thrift stores are always a good option to find cheap dresses. There are many different thrift stores like Goodwill, Plato’s Closet, or other alternative thrift stores not as commonly found in Ohio like Buffalo Exchange. Thrift stores are always a good option because they have used dresses, heels, or anything you could need for Prom. They have a wide variety, and sometimes they have antiques if you are into that. Thrift store prices can be very low for good brands that are usually overpriced. You could find a dress as low as $5.
Dillard’s and Macy’s are old but gold stores when it comes to finding dresses. Especially this time of year, they have a wide variety of not as pricey dresses out on display from all different brands. They have a lot of variety in color, design, and material since their stock is usually imported from other brands and stores like Free People. So, if you aren’t looking for a basic or trendy dress, Dillard’s or Macy’s might just be where you should check next. Their prices are sometimes a bit on the higher end, with Macy’s being anywhere from $30-$400, and Dillard’s having dresses over $600. An example dress from Macy’s is their Juniors’ Spaghetti Straps Sweetheart Neck Gown. It is a very trendy piece of clothing that is a little on the higher end at $269, but is a beautiful and eye-catching look.
Some dress styles that are popular lately include studded dresses, bedazzled, or sequin dresses. Anything that reflects light is pretty much in right now. Anything that sparkles or shimmers. Built in corsets are trending, as well as drop waist dresses and floral dresses.
The trends and happy memories are only possible with all the hard work that goes into creating the fun night. Fashion and fun is all thanks to all of the people who work so hard to make it happen. Have a fun Prom night, and remember to be grateful for all of the hard work put into it.
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