Manassas Park Seniors Head to Prom Today

Prince William and his Princess Kate Middleton aren’t the only ones who spent today making sure they look their best.

 About 135 Manassas Park teens are putting the final touches on ball gowns and suits and obsessing over hair, nails and shoes as they prepare for what many conclude to be one of the most important evenings of a teenager’s life—the prom.

 “It’s more of a big deal than people try to act,” said Stephanie Gamble, an 18-year-old Manassas Park High senior attending prom today.  “I think everybody is super excited and they can’t wait.”

 Members of the Royal Family of Great Britain won’t be at prom, but a prince and princess as well as a king and queen of a different sort, will.

 The top three nominees for each title are down to the final hours before the votes are tallied and the names of the royal court are announced.  

 “People have been texting me (and) facebooking saying, ‘Vote for me! Vote for me!,” Samantha De La Cruz , a Manassas Park senior who is also attending prom today said.

The 18-year-old was crowned junior princess at last year's prom.

 While having a royal prom court is traditional, the Manassas Park High School seniors decided they wanted to step out of the box this year and have a non-traditional prom venue.

 Prom will be held on the Spirit of Washington, a vessel that cruises the Potomac River and offers a buffet dinner and dancing from 7:30 to 11:00 p.m.

 Manassas Park High Principal Tracey Shaver said he was open to the idea of having prom on a ship.

 Clearly his faculty and staff are too, as he didn’t have any problems getting chaperons for the prom this year, Shaver said, laughing.

 There are about 35 faculty and staff members going to the prom this year along with their spouses, he said.

 While the prom has been held at the high school in the past, it has always been held off-campus during his eight-year tenure, Shaver said.

 Last year, prom was held at the Fair Oaks Hyatt Hotel in Fairfax County and at a manor in Manassas the year before.

“The seniors wanted to do something a little bit different …” Shaver said. “I said, ‘If you continue to do a great job your senior year, I think that would be a great idea.’”

 Shaver said the only stipulation is that the children have to be transported to and from the harbor on school buses.

 Driving in Washington D.C. can be difficult for teenagers and he wants to make sure everyone gets there and back safely, Shaver said.

The buses will leave Manassas Park High at about 5 p.m.  and the ship will embark at about 7:30 p.m. from a port on Water Street in D.C.

 Patch will be shadowing De La Cruz as she gets ready for prom.  

We will also be at the event Friday night. Look for pictures and video of the big day Saturday on Patch.