Senior Prom At VRHS Is A Go

ESSEX, CHESTER, DEEP RIVER, CT — Senior prom has been a right of passage for high school students across the country for decades. In 2020, due to the worldwide pandemic, most students didn't get to celebrate this teen milestone, which is why this year's prom is so important to the 138 seniors at Valley Regional High School.

According to VRHS Principal Mike Barile, the school has gotten the green light from the health departments that govern the area, to move forward with the senior prom. There are of course some tweeks and changes that do have to differ from the proms of years past, but in general, this is a sign of a slight return to normalcy for students and something everyone is happy about.

"I am very excited about this and so are our students," said Barile, who explained that the dance is open to all VRHS seniors, including those that are currently attending school remotely.

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The prom will be held outside, on the beautiful grounds of Saint Clements Castle in Portland. There will be a 50x100 tent. Tables of six to eight students will be set up for the dining portion of the evening, which will also be the only time students can be unmasked. Additional chaperones will be on hand for the evening, to ensure that necessary social distancing and Covid-19 protocols are being followed and there will be a DJ to keep the students engaged and moving.

Barile explained that because of social distancing, there will be no slow dancing and Seniors are only able to invite other students from VRHS to the dance, no students from other schools will be allowed to attend the prom. In addition, there will be staggered arrival and departure times so that there isn't a large group congregating at one time at the entrance or exit and masks will be worn at all times, even during fun photos in the photo booth.

"The seniors are really looking forward to this and we are so happy we are able to do this for them," said Barile, who explained that there are still some details about the event that are currently being worked out. "We are working to create a fun opportunity for our students to be able to celebrate together and enjoy themselves. They deserve this and unfortunately, they missed out on their junior prom, which makes this that much more special for them."

Current VRHS Juniors will not be having their prom this year, however, the hope, Barile explained, is to hold a formal dance for them that emulates the Junior Prom, sometime in the fall of the next school year, which would provide those students the same opportunity to attend two "proms".