With the end of the school year quickly approaching, prom preparations are in full swing. MHS Juniors and Seniors have been shopping for their prom dresses, suits and corsages. Over the past few months, upperclassmen have had the opportunity to vote for the theme of their respective proms. However, with all the effort that goes into choosing a theme, one question remains: why bother having a prom theme if hardly anyone follows it?

The reality is that prom themes are usually ignored at MHS. Students dress however they want, with whatever color scheme they pick, regardless of what the school marks as the theme. The only place the theme still shows, in the details like the decorations, often ends up feeling like an afterthought.

Most MHS students admit they are completely oblivious to the theme—many say they did not even know there was one—and it doesn’t affect their prom experience. 

While most are unaffected by the theme, a small minority of students do appreciate it. They argue that having a theme adds an enjoyable element to the event and makes picking attire easier. A creative theme makes the night feel more memorable and special for them. 

However, the majority of students do not feel this way. Recently, there has been a rise in students voicing specific concerns about overly complex themes. Many feel that trying to match a prom theme adds pressure to wear something too specific, almost like imposing a dress code. 

Themes have been found to pressure students to dress a certain way, potentially leading to insecurity about their attire. Rather than enjoying the night, a prom theme may lead to a night spent feeling stressed out and self-conscious.

This pressure inadvertently causes students to dress similarly when the point of the prom is to create an opportunity for students to embrace individuality. With all of these concerns surrounding prom themes, students at MHS are starting to wonder if any of it is worth it.

So the question is, why is the prom committee spending the funding on theme decorations rather than on other aspects to elevate the prom experience?

For seniors, their prom is the last gathering for their entire class. Besides graduation, it may be the last time they will see many of their classmates and all be together; prom is so special for MHS’s soon-to-be graduates.

This year’s senior prom theme is Night at the Bayou, revolving around a swampy and rustic vibe. Students who have picked out a bold colored dress or a neon tie fear that following the theme will result in them sticking out like a sore thumb.

Prom should not be an added stressor for seniors. Decorations that are a little more generic, like ivory tablecloths and champagne colored balloons, may fit the senior prom better and avoid the worry of sticking out. A more neutral prom theme could still foster an aesthetic environment while giving students more freedom and comfort to dress how they want. 

For juniors, it is their first prom, and after a year of AP classes and college prep, The Globe juniors believe they deserve more than prom on a baseball field. This year’s prom theme is Masquerade, and the prom committee plans to give out masks for students to wear. However, with prom being a moment for people to stand out, these masks may push them to blend in with the crowd. Everyone should be recognized, and wearing masks defeats the purpose. The same debate remains of whether students will even participate in the theme. Is this a waste of money?

By using generic decorations for prom, they can be reused at future proms. This cost-efficient method allows for funding to be used on upgrading venues or amenities rather than costly props.

Seniors could receive better photo booths and backdrops for more photo opportunities. Juniors could receive an upgraded venue, not on MHS grass but a more refined and elegant location. They could also switch out their materials, like switching out foldable chairs for something more classy. The options are endless. 

Since seniors and juniors pay a large fee for prom, $50 for junior prom and $120 for senior prom, the students of MHS want to see better prom amenities. At the end of the day, prom should be a celebration of hard work, memories, and individuality, not a forced attempt to match an ignored theme.

Instead of investing money every year for a new, overly specific theme, prom committees should redirect that funding to enhancing the prom experience itself through better venues, meaningful amenities and thoughtful details that students will remember. It is time to focus less on the themes and more on making prom special for everyone.