Prom anticipation trumps anxiety

The dresses. The pictures. The feeling of being asked. Everyone knows that prom is one of the most anticipated nights of the high school experience. Of course, that is, because we allow it to be this way; when spring is upon us, so is the prom anxiety.
Undoubtedly, this annual rite of passage carries much pressure to arrive in style, look perfect, and accompany an ideal date. As per the experiences of my peers, the battle for the best “promposal” is apparent, and well into May, the competition still exists. Such aspects of this captivating night cause the prom experience to be even more desirable. Personally, I could not be more excited.
After months consumed by angst, I waited impatiently for my promposal, unsure of when, where, and how it would occur. Ultimately, my date “promposed” when I least expected it at a well-planned dinner with my girlfriends, in a moment of anticipation, that now seems to be a blur. With both of our friends by our sides, in that moment I so quickly learned something new; often times, the best feeling is the unknown, as we cannot change what may take place. Such a concept was applicable in this situation, as my anxiety had subsided in a moment of pure exhilaration and surprise. Needless to say, my promposal was perfect and it was an excellent prophesy of the memorable night I will experience in weeks to come.
Similar to many other occasions in our lives, prom complements a vital checklist: the promposal, attire, party bus organization, and both pre-prom and after-prom arrangements. The checklist is often dreaded, as it’s simply a directory of perhaps the most traumatic demands an eighteen year old can handle.
Preparing to attend the Hewlett High School prom on June 25 at Westbury Manor, I am fully aware of the necessity of abiding by safety regulations. As my peers and I wait eagerly for the day to arrive, we have all attended a meeting earlier this month, in which we learned of the repercussions of poor decisions on that night. However, each year the Hewlett students prove that prom is simply a night of pure enjoyment and pleasure, with little room for any unwelcomed incidence.

However, when the day arrives, seniors inadvertently realize that this checklist is all a preparation for an event that commemorates the extensive, winding road we have traveled together, and the diverse paths we will embark on in the future. It is our last form of togetherness and unison as graduation falls the next day.
“To me, prom means that we all made it past everything high school threw at us,” senior Anthony Iannaci explained. “That is definitely something worth celebrating.”
Therefore, let us struggle to find the flawless dress or suit, the most compatible date, and the best idea for a promposal because inevitably, these accoutrements to prom night allow us to feel special for a day that of course, is so special. To some, prom is just a repetitive illusion. To others, such as my peers and myself, prom is the night we have all been waiting for, one of the most memorable nights of our lives. Indeed, it will be.