Columbia High Prom Showcase May Be On Again

Thecould again be a reality.

At the South Orange Board of Trustees meeting, resident and district teacher and coach Johanna Wright spoke, and Village Administrator John Gross confirmed, that an agreement has been reached "in principle," that would see the event held at SOPAC next Tuesday, June 14, before the CHS prom.

"That's great idea," said Trustee Deborah Davis Ford.

"There are logistical issues," noted Gross. "They are not small issues," he added, describing SOPAC personnel as "very gracious" in permitting the event to take place. Details of the event are still being worked out, he noted, and involve discussions with Village officials and police. 

The event, a tradition since 2003, according to Wright, grew out of student efforts to avoid pre-prom parties where there was pressure to drink alcohol. The first showcase was held at Columbia High School. Following years saw the event at Grove Park in South Orange.

Last year, when Village officials determined that another location would need to be found. 

If the event goes forward at SOPAC as currently planned, it will see changes from the outdoor event. The showcase will be a ticketed event, with tickets available to prom-goers and family members. There will be a limited number of tickets, though there was no word yet on how those will be distributed. 

Wright said that kids were "waiting at home with bated breath" for good news. In addition, she hinted that a "major celebrity" would be on hand "to work that red carpet."