Weeks of planning came together for 273 students as they wore their fanciest outfits and attended this year’s Junior Prom, themed “When the Sun Goes Down,” on April 16 at Dolce Hayes Mansion in San Jose.
Bids went sale on the week of March 14 starting at $135 per person, and sold through the week of March 28, with prices raising $10 per week. Despite the expensive venue and bus cost, the junior class office was able to break even on the event.
Around 6 p.m., five buses pulled out of the SHS parking lot en route to the venue as a light chatter filled the air. Students chatted excitedly during the short 25-minute commute.
As the buses turned the corner and entered the curved driveway of Hayes Mansion, students were taken back by the white pillars and extensive grass lawn of the venue.
“I think the venue was very impressive,” junior class secretary Rachel Won said. “Hayes Mansion was really nice because it gave us a lot of room to work and play around with decorations and really design the area to our specific desires.”
As students stepped off the buses, they were directed to the ballroom on the left side of the hotel. Friendly waiters greeted the students at the door and handed out mocktail drinks in a sunset ombre color.
A comfortable violet ambience awaited the attendees, as large dining tables with seating for 10 surrounded a moderately sized dance floor.
“I think it was a great decision to host at Hayes because the food was excellent and we had a lot of space to wander around and talk with friends,” junior class president Ellicia Chiu said.
Although dinner was not served immediately, the staff members laid out a nicely arranged appetizer plate, consisting of cheese, cold cuts of various meats and sauteed vegetables.
Some students took this opportunity to take professional photos, held in a separate basement room under the ballroom. Beside the photo station were a couple of game tables with a deck of cards and “Apples to Apples.” Next to the game area was a candy bar, filled with an assortment of colorful candies, including bubble gum, taffy and candy canes.
“Some of the highlights were definitely the sunset-themed candy bar, the lighting of the whole room and the centerpieces,” Chiu said.
The buffet style included vegetarian and vegan choices, as well as an assortment of meat and poultry like fish, steak and chicken. Dessert was served and consisted of an array of cakes, such as cheesecake, red velvet and chocolate. Drinks included everything from water to juice to soda.
“The food was interesting,” Won said. “The appetizers were very posh and funny-tasting, but the main course was super good.”
As the sun faded behind the horizon, most students made their way over to the dance floor in the middle of the ballroom. Soon, the DJ was cranking loud beats and students danced to the tunes of Flo Rida’s “My House” and Drake’s “Jumpman.”
Even though the DJ’s music choices weren’t always popular with all attendees, the night ended on a positive note when he played Ed Sheeran’s slow song, “Photograph.”
“Overall, prom was really fun and a good opportunity to bond and have fun with friends,” junior Jackie Han said. “I’m really happy with how it turned out.”