We’ve seen it in the movies, it’s shown up in our Instagram feeds, and it’s finally reached us. Prom  - the night of nights. As we weed through weeks of APs, finals, and other examinations, prom served as a beacon of hope for many. It represented a brief yet sweet pause from the constant grind of being a Maggie Walker student. Immediately following two weeks of stressful AP exams, prom offered the juniors and seniors of Maggie Walker a moment of solace from regular life. In some ways, this year’s prom felt extra special. 

On the afternoon of May 18th, a gloomy, gray Saturday, the majority of upperclassmen flocked to the Virginia State Capitol for pictures. This may have been the most action the front steps have gotten in a while, with swaths of students, dates, parents, and siblings bustling up and down the steep, slick capitol steps. The air seemed to buzz with energy and excitement, with students attempting to capture photos of every possible type of friend-group combination for their Instagram posts. The rain seemed to taunt the crowd, halting and picking up again as students took photos. However, even the rain couldn’t dampen the excitement radiating off the students. Sanjay Anup (‘25) managed to enjoy himself in spite of the cold weather: “Despite the rain, I thoroughly enjoyed taking photos at Capitol Hill. It was nice to be able to make memories and take photos there.” As the clock drew closer and closer to 7 pm, the start of the dance, the first mass exodus of the night occurred as folks rushed to make their dinner reservations. 

Off to dinner they went; whether dining at fancy restaurants, fast food places, or at home, students shared special meals together to mark this rare night. Prom night is often not just about the dance itself: the actions of taking photos, getting dinner, and hanging out with friends are what make the night memorable for many. Mitchell Shelton (‘25) remarked that “My most memorable part of prom this year was going to dinner with my friends.” 

As dinners drew to a close, students began migrating to the Hippodrome, a quaint theater located in the heart of Richmond. At the door, teachers signed students in, checking their names off a long list of highlighted names. Inside the dimly lit theater, strobing lights illuminated the dance floor, where crowds of students jumped, danced, and sang to the deafening sounds of music coming from the speakers. The DJs played songs of every type, from loud rap, to slow, romantic songs, to classics, like the “Cha Cha Slide.” For Adrian Chenoweth (‘25), the “Cha Cha Slide” was the best part of the night. “The choreographed dance songs were the most memorable part of the night.” Witnessing Maggie Walker’s upperclassmen move to the left and the right in perfect unison was definitely a special moment. 

Finally, for many seniors, prom was also a time for making lasting memories with friends before leaving for college. For instance, Grace Yoo (‘24) mentioned that she really enjoyed “taking pictures with Eric” who she had gotten to know better over the course of the past school year. Eric Hu (‘24) agreed, adding that his “favorite part of prom was talking to Grace at the party and taking a photo together.” While this year’s prom was most definitely a happy occasion, it was also a bittersweet night for many graduating seniors. As the night drew to a close, Taylor Swift’s “Lover” poured through the speakers while students across the room paused their dancing to watch the senior slideshow, which featured pictures documenting the Class of 2024 across their four years at Maggie Walker. 

Prom is fun and carefree and a great social venture for many. But it’s also the true first and last time where the junior and senior classes share a space and experience. Prom is a night to be savored, remembered, and enjoyed! Seniors - we hope that your second prom was memorable and fun. Juniors - stay motivated and get hyped for next year!