Prom night for Lenape Valley Regional High School

By George Leroy Hunter
Randolph — One by one vehicles of all types slowly rolled up to the entrance of shimmering glass. Individuals 'dressed to the nines' emerged. Some posed for photographs before entering the towering building.
Photographers and passersby had plenty to see. Gentlemen dressed in sharp suits and polished shoes and the ladies looked amazing wearing their glittering dresses and shiny high heels. These well-dressed guests looked worthy enough to be on the cover of just about any glamour magazine.
But the spectacle was not at some big Hollywood red carpet affair. This event took place at the Skylands Event and Conference Center in Randolph, New Jersey. And the affair was the Lenape Valley Regional High School prom.
The prom took place on Friday, June 2, 2017.
At this time of the year, as at other high schools across America, Lenape Valley students took part in this formal dance. For this one special evening, students’ attire was in strong contrast to their usual jeans, sneakers and hanging shirt tails.
Under the watchful eyes of select school faculty and parent chaperons the students enjoyed a night of dinner, dancing and all around merriment -- a special night to be cherished by many for years to come.
The word prom is short for promenade: a march of guests into a ballroom constituting the opening of a formal ball.
The origin of the prom goes back to the19th century or the late 1800s, depending on what historical record one refers to. And it took place at American universities. At the universities a prom was held for each graduating class. Over time, the event became popular among teenagers at the high school level.
Beginning in the 1950s proms began to be held at hotels and country clubs, a practice which continues in the 21st century. Before then, high school proms were usually held in the gymnasium.
Some historians believe that high school proms emerged from the popularity of upper-class debutante balls in high society. At a debutante ball, girls would wear fancy gowns and long gloves and the boys wore tuxedos. Debutante balls were exclusive events and only a select few would get an invitation.
In modern times proms are more inclusive. Unlike in the past, where only a boy and a girl could attend a prom as dates, now it is more acceptable for groups of boys or girls to attend with their friends.
Regardless of its evolution, the prom is still considered the main social event of the high school year. The main point of a prom is to have a good time, and to look good while doing so.
The student attendees of Lenape Valley Regional High School easily managed to do both.