“Starry Night” is a notably popular prom theme, used in high schools across the country. This theme laid the groundwork in constructing the aesthetic of PRIDE’s Second Chance Prom held in the German Club this past Thursday night.
The Second Chance Prom was held for those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community who were unable to attend or enjoy their prom in high school. PRIDE’s prom promoted attendees to wear what they wanted, come with who they wanted and just have fun.
Attendees walking into the prom passed through silver door streamers and were checked in at a table with tiny fake stars on it. Table settings included small, fake clouds and golden table runners. Off to the side was a photo station with a gray-blue background and fake clouds and stars to decorate the setting.
Classic pop songs such as “Beauty and the Beat” by Nicki Minaj and Justin Bieber and “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna had played and got attendees to get up and dance. A couple of those dancers were members of the PRIDE executive board: PRIDE secretary and junior criminal justice major AJ Stack, and the president and senior cybersecurity and networks major Destiny Ray.
In an interview at the event, Ray said that the Second Chance Prom was open to everyone, including anyone who could not go to their prom for a variety of reasons, along with those within the LGBTQ+ community who did go to their proms but were discriminated against.
Stack agreed with Ray and shared their own experience of going to a traditional prom, and how proud he is of the Second Chance Prom. “I wasn’t really out yet. I wasn’t comfortable with myself,” said Stack. “So even though I’m in the background, setting it up, it’s just nice to see everyone having fun and you know, getting [to have] the experience that they truly deserve because, you know, their identities and their experience, they matter.”
Ray then talked about the different recognized student organizations (RSOs) for helping set up the event. Dance-based RSOs such as Incendio Dance Project, Monsoon Dance Crew and Illuminate Dance Club to cultural organizations such as the Latin American Student Association and the Muslim Student Association, among many more, had helped set up the event.
Stack said that he and Ray were “extremely grateful” for the support from these RSOs, who helped make the event memorable and special. The event’s specialness was seen in the large amount of people who came out to have fun at the prom and seen in the fun they were having, between the dancing and hanging out.
Stack and Ray both said how excited they were to reveal the winners of the night’s prom royalty.
Out of thirteen contestants, one of them being a solo contestant, one duo took the crowns: the prom royalty winners were Laila Haughton, a senior criminal justice major, and Teyah Greene, a senior psychology major.
If you are interested in attending any more of PRIDE’s events, check out their Charger Connection page or look at their Instagram page, unewhavenpride.