Students transform gym for prom

After several years of hosting prom off campus, this year's Carson High School seniors are bringing the big dance back home.

"It was mainly a budget issue," explained senior class vice president Kristi Schaffer, 18. "But it actually turned out to be a good thing because we were able to spend more on decorations and making it look nice."

Class officers and other volunteers are spending the week transforming the high school's gymnasium into a Night Under the Midnight Sky for Saturday's prom.

As senior class president, Alana Woodbury, 18, is tasked with organizing the event, and she turned it into her senior project.

Seeing it come to fruition, she said, is bitter-sweet.

"I've been working on this since I was elected last year," she said. "It's kind of like your baby, so I'm excited for it to come together. But I'm sure I'll be sad when it's over because you never really get to do something like this again."

Sarah Irvin, 18, said she's excited for the big dance, regardless of the venue.

"It's your last hoorah," she said. "It's a chance to have some fun before you all part ways."

Having a hand in decorating, said A.J. Winder, 18, will make it even more special.

"It's not just going somewhere," he said. "You've actually put time and care into it. We'll be able to enjoy the night more because all of the work will be done."

Woodbury said that as the date approaches, seniors are less skeptical about the location.

"I've noticed a lot of the negativity has gone away," she said.

And she promises it will not disappoint.

"It's not even going to look like you're in a gym," she said.

BKOUTS

Candidates for prom king and queen are selected by Carson High School teachers. The winners will be voted in by the student body and announced during the dance.

The candidates are:

King

Jonathan Parker

Trey Jensen

Brian Barnes

Connor Beattie

A.J. Winder

Danny Gall

Queen

Elayna Shine

Emma Kortemeier

Kellie Nguyen

Jazmyn Stokes

Lisa Yamamoto

Whitney Nash