Prom night has been a long and cherished tradition at Grosse Pointe South, creating a sense of transition for high school students into adulthood. Over the decades, the event has evolved significantly, specifically with clothing and venues, reflecting on the influences of each generation through South.
In early years, South has hosted their proms at places all throughout Detriot. The venues varied from fancier to more casual restaurants for all student to enjoy. Former South alum, Melissa Petz, explains not only the different venues but the different people at each prom.
“I definitely remember my prom taking place at the Greek Antheneum, I remember looking and they had the world’s greatest waterfall,” Petz said. “Prom wasn’t just for the seniors for me though, we had both a junior and senior prom that both grades attended which was based on attendance.”
Not only have clothing and styles changed throughout generations with our day-to-day clothing, but it has also evolved the styles we see being brought to prom. From the difference of a junior being brought as a date, and known to wear a short dress to not outshine the seniors, or the different styles of fashion we see today. Monica Obrien expresses the changes in dresses to what the dates wore as well.
“My prom was in 1989 so the dresses have definitely changed. We had big shoulder pads and big bows, and many girls had big hair,” Obrien said. “The guys all wore tuxedos and usually had mullets.
Throughout the years the not only has the clothing or experiences of prom changed, but also the culture revolving around it. As time has gone on, the appeal of prom has seemed to lessen. Students don’t seem to enjoy the dance and the experience as much as years before feeling like they are “trapped” throughout the night. Katie Barbour, a teacher at South, explains her thoughts on the changes in enjoyment of prom.
“I do think that students don’t enjoy it as much as we did because from now when chaperoning dances, I feel like they all just want to leave right away, and we all did not want to go the second we could,” Barbour said. “I just think kids were more excited to go to their prom when I was in high school.”
Although there has been changes to the ways of prom through the years, the essence of prom has never changed. The excitement of taking photos, dressing up, and being with friends will always be an important part of high school. As we grow older, our experiences differ from other people, but change is also an important part of life.
“Just hanging out and having those last opportunities to hang out with my high school friends before everyone left for summer was so fun,” Petz said.
