D230's Sandburg, Stagg And Andrew Schools To Host Senior Proms

ORLAND PARK, IL — The coronavirus may have stopped or altered many events for high school seniors, but one thing that seniors in Consolidated High School District 230 will still have a chance to partake in is prom 2021.

The district is hosting prom for all of its schools, which include, Carl Sandburg High School, Victor J. Andrew High School and Amos Alonzo Stagg High School. The district confirmed that following CDC guidelines, it is going through with plans to host the staple senior event.

"We believe that we can put together an experience for the kids that allows them to celebrate their senior year in a safe COVID-free way," said Tim Dalton, Andrew's Assistant Principal. " Instead of being downtown or somewhere else, we're bringing it back onto campus. We're going to then try to build out different rooms and capacities that will allow us to limit to 50 [people per room]. We're still trying to stay around that number."

Dalton said the district has asked students whether they would like the proms to be formal or informal, indicating that survey responses say students want it to be formal, and as traditional as possible. Dalton said that a video game area will also be available for students to hang out at as well.

"We listened to the kids, and this was one of the major things that they wanted. They wanted this event," Dalton said. "We are trying to meet the needs of the kids who have lost so much in their senior year, and do it in a way that is still following the state guidelines, and following the mitigations ... to try to give them some more of their high school experience, but obviously do it in a COVID safe way."

Stagg's Senior Class President, Tasneem Hamed, said her class is "really excited" for its prom event, also expected to be held on campus.

"Over the summer I didn't know what to expect going into my senior year. I was kind of worried, and also sad, because I was expecting nothing to happen [event wise] like my other classmates in the class of 2020," Hamed said. "The fact that we're still having some sort of celebration — and I know I'm not the only one that's really excited for it— is surprising because we all thought it was going to be canceled.

All proms are slated to be held on May 15, according to D230's director of communication, Carla Erdey. Each school's event will be tailored to the input received from students, including dining, dancing, student performances and more.

The district will also be hosting in-person graduation this year, according to Dalton. In 2020, a drive-by stage-walk was held for students. This year, there will be multiple ceremonies held within the same day for the class of 2021.

Related:

Bremen High School District 228 To Host Outdoor Proms For Seniors | Oak Forest, IL Patch

Joliet Prom 2021: High School Dances Return With New Restrictions | Joliet, IL Patch