Prom is a well-known event at CI, and this year it’s scheduled for April 25 at the Vineyards with our theme being “A Night At The Enchanted Evergreens.” So to commemorate such a special and unique tradition like the one we have, we’ve decided to interview a few teachers here at CI about their experiences at their own high school prom.
Mr. David Cole has taught at CI for 27 years and specializes in social science (AP U.S. History and Government). He attended Riverside Polytechnic High School and graduated in 1983. Mr. Cole didn’t remember if his prom had a theme, but he specifically remembered going with a girl, who was a good friend at the time.
“I went with a girl named Amy. She went to a different high school but we had been good friends since junior high,” he said. “I wasn’t planning on going. But one day I was at soccer practice and her school’s tennis team was playing ours. The field and court were next to each other. So we started talking. I asked her spur of the moment. She said sure. I haven’t been in contact with her since graduation.”
When asked about a specific memory from that night, he replied, “It was held at the Disneyland Hotel. Riverside to Disneyland is only about 35 miles. And back in the 1980s you could make the drive very quickly, unlike now.”
He pointed out that students these days like to attend prom with a group of friends rather than with a date, which is what he claims to be the biggest difference between his generation and our own. Young people don’t feel the need to find a date as much as they did before.
“The biggest difference I see now is that a lot of people don’t go with a specific date,” he said. “They go as a group of friends. I like that. Takes a lot of pressure off the evening and just lets it be about having fun.”
Ms. Elisabeth Harrell teaches environmental science and marine biology and has worked here for 14 years. She attended CI during her high school years and graduated in 2003. Her prom theme was “Walking Hand In Hand Along Egyptian Sands.” Her date was her current husband, Ted, who was her boyfriend back then. They’ve been together for 22 years now.
“Prom was fun,” she said. “I went with a group of friends. We took pictures, went out to dinner, and enjoyed the event. I don’t love to dance so we mostly danced to group dances like the cha cha slide and slow dances. We spent the rest of the time outside talking and just made the most of the night.”
One memory that stood out to Ms. Harrell was that her date borrowed his grandmother’s bright orange Cadillac to drive “around that night in style.”
When she compared her own prom to today’s, she claimed that proms at CI nowadays have more activities to do than when she attended. Based on her experience, she gave a few examples.
“I’ve chaperoned a few CI proms and have seen a casino, photo booth, karaoke, games, snacks, etc.,” she said. “At my prom we just had a big dance floor with a DJ and maybe some water/punch.”
She also notes that, at the time, they didn’t do promposals, with all the big posters and flowers. They were more private questions to ask at the time.
“Overall though, the vibe is the same,” she added. “Everyone is dressed up, dancing, taking pictures, and having a great time with their friends.”
Finally, Mr. David Corona, a physics teacher who has worked at CI for 11 years, tells us about his prom
experience at Pacifica High School. His prom theme was “A Night Among the Stars” because the prom took place at a hotel in Hollywood. His date was his girlfriend at the time, whom he hasn’t spoken to since the summer of 2009.
“I remember it positively. After dinner, my date and I walked around taking pictures with a disposable camera I snuck in,” he recalled. “We spent a lot of the second half of prom canoodling on a big couch and then danced to the last song of the night. Then we got to hang out till dawn with our friends at the After-Prom Party hosted by the PFSO.”
Mr. Corona specifically remembered that his ex-girlfriend didn’t enjoy dancing much, but he convinced her to dance to Selena’s “Dreaming of You” by the end of the night.
When asked to compare his prom to CI’s current proms he responded, “I’ve been to ten times as many CI proms as PHS proms; though, admittedly, it’s a different experience as a teacher than as a student. I think I would have liked the karaoke room back then though.”
Whether it was awkward slow dances, bold fashion choices, or unforgettable friend group photos, our teachers’ prom nights remind us that everyone was once a high schooler too. As this year’s prom approaches, maybe we can all take a little inspiration from their stories. After all, it’s all about the memories you’ll look back on years from now.
