Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Yuliana's Prom Story

And so the story begins: I had been dating this one boy since my sophomore year and we decided to go to our senior prom. My friends and I had planned this huge dinner together, making it a triple date. The dress: what every girl looks forward to. The best part about shopping: the $9.97 dress I found at JC Penney.


He decided that he wanted an all white suit and of course, me in my red nine dollar dress. In the end neither of my friends showed up, so the two of us had dinner in Chico at a Chinese restaurant; you can never go wrong with Chinese food. The actual dance was okay, almost what a normal school dance would be only fancier. We left Prom because he wanted to go to a house party and as soon as we got there I decided house parties were not for me. The night ended with a chicken sandwich from Jack in the Box.


The big surprise came weeks later when I found out that he had been cheating on me with another girl--apparently "my friend." As part of my revenge I took our Prom picture, tore them apart and destroyed the evidence, or so I thought. Days later my mom found a piece of one of the pictures I had torn and she told me "hey your ex-boyfriend's feet were just lying around." And so maybe that is why I do not have such a vivid memory of my 2004 Senior Prom at CUHS.


Yuliana Prom 2004

Lynda's Prom Stories

I didn’t have a prom experience. I daydreamed about it a lot… what I’d wear, how I’d fix my hair, what kind of corsage my date would bring me, how I would dance. With 4 kids, my parents couldn’t afford a lot. I worked and would’ve paid for it myself. My boyfriend didn’t like dances or dancing and never wanted to go. I thought about going with other friends that didn’t have dates, but that seemed embarrassing to me. But I think if I knew then what I know now, I probably would‘ve gone solo just for the fun of it. My boyfriend always said I could go without him if I wanted to, but I knew he really wouldn’t be happy if I did. That boyfriend has been my husband since 1976, he still doesn’t like to dance. He danced at our wedding, will sometimes dance one slow dance with me at weddings and special occasions and he’ll dance with me at home when no one’s looking, and that’s ok with me.

I encouraged my kids to go to the proms and formals whether they had a date or not. They went to Los Molinos H.S. (Grad yrs ‘97 to 2001). My daughter, son and two nieces (that lived with us during their high school years) went to most, sometimes with dates and sometimes with good friends. They always had a blast! They usually went to dinner in Chico. Sometimes fancy elegant places like the Albatross, sometimes fun silly places like Chucky Cheese. Then on to prom” for photos, special hors d’oeuvres and punch, hanging out with friends, dancing away with their dates and others, and dancing in fun friend groups just being silly and having a great time. They’d usually go to breakfast in Red Bluff afterwards.

I always worried about them being on the road before and after… it’s a mom thing! With no cell phones, I made them call me at each destination (what a pain I must’ve been). I’d wait up for them and listen to all the details which they seemed happy to share with me, as though they didn’t want the night to end. (I prommed vicariously through them, tee hee)

The girls always had to have “new” dresses. And, of course, all the lovely adornments to enhance it all. One time we did a swap and had friends bring dresses from years past and they traded off. I was glad for that year, it can all get quite expensive. Sometimes they paid for their own hair, makeup and nails and sometimes they would do it all at home with friends and my help. Although, they really would rather have the friends’ help than mine, so I usually had to “back off”. Too old fashioned, I’m sure you know what I mean.

My son was a character. He and his best friend always wore something crazy and funny. Like one time they wore bowling shoes, another time wore their Motox Fox, No Fear or AC/DC style caps with their tuxes and van shoes. I remember them wearing dressy sweaters one year when no one else did. I’m sure their dates must have wondered how they’d show up each time. Once my son waited ‘til almost the last minute to decide to go, then wanted a tux. I was so glad that he got measured and got it ordered “in time”. But when he picked it up, the jacket was way too short in the middle and sleeves (he was tall and skinny), and it was too late to do anything about it. (He didn’t get any money back for what I thought was the blunder of the store clerk, but “oh well.”) He wore it anyway, and just had fun with it. His date was so beautiful and I think his “fun” personality made up for his lack of sophistication (I hope so anyway).

I love to look back at all the pictures, it brings back very fun memories!!!

I still had a few of the dresses and shoes at home and, with the girls’ permission, I donated them to our prom project a couple of years ago. I hope other moms had the same kind of pleasure I had… watching, waiting, and listening to all of the happy details of their child’s “prom”! I say “child”, but they sure looked all grown up on those special nights. (Well, the girls did anyway.)

Monday, April 5, 2010

Denise's Prom Story


My prom story...I went kicking and screaming...I so didn't want to go but one of my friends insisted going as far as to find me a date for the evening. Then a week before prom, when the tickets, dress and all the trimmings were purchased my date dumped me (can one be dumped even if they have never met the other person??) for my friend. I however got the last laugh as I then asked another friend of mine who had graduated the year before if he would go. My friend Matt said yes and showed up in a tux while "Mr. Dump" sported dockers and a sweater...
I won't go into details about the rest of the evening but I remember the waiter at dinner spent a great deal of time staring at my friend's chest making "Mr. Dump" fairly upset...

Denise Prom 1993

Creating Prom Stories: The Prom Project 2010 has begun!

Making prom dreams come true...that is our aim with The Prom Project here in Tehama County. We are currently preparing for our weeklong prom boutique, during which teens--both boys and girls--from all over the county can shop for formal wear. We know that prom is an important milestone for many teens, and with today's hard times, getting that perfect dress is a hardship, making prom often unattainable.

So join us April 12th-17th to shop. Students should bring their school ID. If you have gently used formal wear that you wish to donate, we are accepting all types, and truly need larger size women's clothes as well as male formal attire. We also accept shoes, handbags, jewelry and unopened cosmetics.