While many upperclassmen enjoy attending the rite-of-passage school prom dance, others have started getting creative with the evening and branching out into different activities in our community. For those who chose to attend the LCPS-sponsored evening, the 2025 Woodgrove Prom featured a popular “Tangled” theme, with whimsical Disney fairytale decorations. Thanks to the hard work of the Class of 2026 Council, the night was a success. Junior Class Council member Mai Sylvester, who helped plan and set up the dance, shared, “We used a lot of flowers, stars, and warm lights to give that “Tangled” aesthetic. My peers and I all had some really great ideas, so being able to collaborate with them all and make something great was really fun.” Senior Ele Winner, who decided to attend the dance for her final high school formal, shared her positive experience from the evening. “I went with a really good group. On the dance floor, we brought the energy and made it super hype,” she commented. “It’s definitely what you make out of it. If you go with the right group of people who aren’t afraid to have fun, prom is definitely one of the most memorable and greatest experiences in high school.” Winner was happy to attend the dance for her senior year, adding, “This is my first and last year going to the dance, so I was very happy with how it went.” 

Junior Micah Shreffler and his prom date followed the traditional route of pictures, dinner, and attending the dance. “My date and I took pictures at my farm together and then joined our group at Hope Flower Farm for more pictures,” Shreffler shared. To continue the traditional prom route, they exchanged corsages and boutonnieres, and he matched his tie to her dress. “The highlights of my night was dinner at Firebirds in Leesburg and seeing all of my friends at the dance,” Shreffler added. Another junior, Danielle Burroughs, also attended the dance with her friends. She explained, “It’s important to go to the dance, because you get to see friends from school that you didn’t hang out with earlier, and you get to socialize with the Woodgrove community.” She also enjoyed the “Tangled” themed decorations and lighting at the venue, along with the music. “It is always interesting and funny to see what music the DJ plays at a school event,” Burroughs added.

Senior Whitney Hess enjoyed taking an alternative route for the evening, bypassing the LCPS-sponsored dance to do a creative activity with her friends. “We took pictures at Stoneleigh, and we had a catered dinner at our friend’s house.” For the big activity of the night, she shared, “We decided to do a mega Slip ‘n Slide and played yard games.” This alternative activity was a hit in her group and ended off their high school prom experience like no other. Her favorite part about prom was getting ready with her group. “I love helping them [my friends] do their hair and makeup. It was so much fun to get dressed up together,” Hess commented. Senior Joey Harar also enjoyed a night out, spending time in D.C. taking photos and eating dinner. He described the end of the night, saying, “My favorite part of the night was when the group was back home hanging out, playing games, and talking. It was the most personal part of the whole experience and a great way to end the night.”

Year after year, prom evolves into a different experience for every high school student. Whether they spend the evening dancing under the fairy lights or laughing in the backyard with friends, upperclassmen get to shape the night into something meaningful and walk away with lasting memories.