Thanks to a small, dedicated group of parents Project Prom is being resurrected this year for Parsons High School juniors and seniors.
In the past, the annual celebratory event that would directly follow the PHS Prom provided attendees with loads of fun, games, activities, food and prizes, all in a safe environment. The events would usually last until about 3 a.m.
Parsons’ Prom and Project Prom were cancelled in 2020 due to the onslaught of COVID-19. The following year a group of parents held a Project Prom, but it did not go over well, and there has not been one since.
Halee Kennett, her sister Marleah Wyland, and close friends Courtney Stangle and Crystal Hentzen said they felt it was time to change that.
Traditionally, the junior class helps with fundraising to decorate for prom and the juniors’ and seniors’ parents would help with fundraising and planning for Project Prom. None of the four women are parents of upper classmen this year, but they do have younger children who they would like to experience Project Prom in the future.
“Our memories from Project Prom, those are some of our best memories from high school,” Kennett said. “I remember when I was in high school, and Project Prom was more fun than prom. When I heard there wasn’t anything, I was willing to put in the work these years coming up, so when my daughter is able to go it’s already established and something she and others are looking forward to going to.”
“So this is a long-term plan,” Stangle added.
The biggest eye-opener for the parents in talking to students was learning they have no idea what Project Prom is, leaving parents to try to explain. Youths are very different today, so the parents are trying to be cognizant of those differences as they plan games and activities, and are welcoming ideas shared by students.
“I feel like we have to really win them over this first year back,” Kennett said.
The event has a Monopoly theme. Tickets to get into Project Prom are separate from prom tickets. The cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple. Those purchasing tickets by March 29 can get one of the event shirts. Project Prom will operate from 10:30 to 3 a.m. No admittance will be allowed after 11:30 p.m.
There will be inflatables, yard games and much more. Students will get tickets for participating and for winning and can use those for different levels of prizes. Kennett said they are planning prizes all the way from gift cards to some senior prize items like T.V.’s or mini fridges. Food will be available throughout the night, but as a special treat, before the event ends students will get to partake in an early morning breakfast. Information will be updated on a regular basis on the Parsons Vikings Project Prom Facebook page. Students can scan the QR code to stay up t date on all additions and changes.
Since the four jumped on board the project, they quickly realized they would need as much help as possible given the scope of such an event. They now have about 38 other parents who have stepped up and offered to help in different ways, like baking items for the Monopoly themed cake walk. Some of those volunteers have spouses who have said they will help as well with certain tasks.
The group is still in need of volunteers the night of Project Prom. If you would like to volunteer, visit the Parsons Vikings Project Prom Facebook Page for more details.
The four ladies said individuals and businesses have also been wonderful about supporting Project Prom’s return, mostly through monetary contributions. Wyland said they would like every attendee to get to go home with some kind of prize, so they are continuing their efforts seeking donations. Project Prom is April 13.
“The community has been awesome. They have really stepped up,” Wyland said.
Their “Prom Pooper” fundraiser that placed a portable commode in people’s yards for a fee, helped raised about $1,600 over the course of three weeks, Hentzen said.
Stangle said they are very appreciative of the support of Parsons USD 503, sponsoring some items like postage for the letters to students, and allowing the group to host the event at Parsons High School.
Next year, the group members said, their plan is to get started with their efforts in the fall. Doing so will provide them more time for fundraising, and they are wanting to involve students in the efforts, too, so they can have a great event and it is something they helped contribute to.
“We want to thank everybody,” Wyland said. “We couldn’t do this without everyone stepping up.”