• Family and friends are invited
Star Valley High School student council members have implemented a new tradition for the Junior Prom. This year, all juniors are invited to participate in a Grand March across the auditorium stage on Saturday, March 10 at 8:30 p.m. where each junior will have a moment in the spotlight.
“It all started when a few students and parents reached out to me about bringing back the Junior Promenade,” said Janey Young, who serves as a Junior Class Officer at SVHS. “It’s been a few years since we’ve done it, and while it faded out for a number of reasons, the interest in reviving it made me excited.”
Council members faced challenged in restoring the Promenade tradition because of complications with finding advisors, gathering participants and arranging rehearsal time. A solution, however, has been presented.
Young attended a prom in Lovell, Wyoming a few weeks ago with a friend and witnessed something that inspired her in how to accommodate family and student requests for a promenade. It was “their version of the Grand March — a new take on promenade — and it was so fun! Each couple chose a walk-up song, added a little personality with a pose, dance move, or fun moment, and the whole thing was relaxed, creative, and really fun to watch. It didn’t require a bunch of formal practices, but it still gave the students a chance to get involved and receive recognition.”
SVHS has borrowed ideas from Young’s experience in Lovell and the student council is inviting Juniors to participate in the Grand March. Each junior will be introduced during the Grand March “with their prom date, a friend, or anyone they choose as their escort.” They will enter the stage to their own hand-picked, walk-up song, walk across the stage, pose for a photo, and “maybe add a trick, short dance, or something fun to make it their own. Even though we’re not doing official practices, students are already putting a lot of thought into their intros and how to make them special.”
Young said that the student council hopes that the Grand March will become a new tradition for students to enjoy at the Prom. “As a freshman in student council, I was often disappointed when looking through old yearbooks and talking to SVHS Alumni. It seemed to me that, although there is definitely some tradition at our school, we have lost a lot of it and are lacking unity and school spirit.”
The student council is working to restore many favorite traditions. “As we start this new take on an old tradition, participation is essential. We’d love as much community support as possible. We are inviting all friends, family, and community members to attend to show recognition for the current Junior Class and in support of building traditions and bringing back some school spirit at Star Valley High School.”
Friends and family members who wish to watch the Grand March should park in the northwest parking lot and enter the school through the back doors. The dance is being held in the school commons area, so guests will need to enter the auditorium from the side doors rather than crossing the dance floor.
