By John Cody Treadaway, Opinions Editor
Prom is a tradition that has been held since anyone alive today can remember. Some ask if prom is still relevant, and my answer to this question is yes.
Although proms were not covered in yearbooks until the 1930s and 1940s, historians believe that proms began back in the late 1800s. Throughout these many years, prom has grown into a national tradition for all high schools.
So if prom isn’t relevant, why is it so well known and practiced nationally still today?
Many believe that prom is solely a night where girls wear elegant dresses, guys wear dashing tuxedos and everyone dances the night away – but there’s more to it than that. Prom is really about having fun with friends and creating a night full of memories.
Think about it: The majority of people go to prom with a date, but even more students go with a big group of people.
Many of these groups ride in limos together and possibly go out to eat at a nice restaurant, too. Then, they go to prom, dance with each other and everyone drives home together.
Do you see a pattern? The whole purpose of prom is to simply enjoy a night out with friends by feasting, dancing and laughing with one another as the night goes on. Many think prom is simply an excuse to get drunk and do idiotic things throughout the night and into the early-morning hours, but those who spend their prom doing this do not get what prom is about. You don’t need alcohol to have fun on a night already filled with dancing, laughing and making memories.
Personally, I am going with my date and two friends to dinner and prom – without alcohol – and we will still enjoy ourselves thoroughly simply because of the fact that we will be together having a merry time with one another.
While we may dance and do the stereotypical prom activities, we will still enjoy ourselves by making a night full of memories and laughter together to tell our friends and families about the next day.
Prom is also one of the last big events for seniors, which means prom can be a night that people will remember you for.
Whatever you do, those younger than you will remember the things you did, and I am pretty sure no one wants to be remembered as the guy or girl who got so wasted that they acted like a total moron before puking all over the place.
There is more to prom than just dresses, tuxes and dancing. It is a night that has been held by many generations simply to have a good time with friends and a time for the seniors to leave their legacy as the kind of people they are.
The only question that remains is, What legacy will you leave behind from your prom night? Will you be the one who embraced prom’s long-standing traditions, made people laugh and had a good time with their friends, or the one who thought they needed alcohol to have fun, got completely drunk and threw up in the bathroom all night?