Buffalo Grove High School held the senior prom outdoors Saturday, with scores of teens dressed up for the “Masquerade” held at Grant Blaney Stadium on the school campus. May 22.
The live red-carpet event also included a catered dinner, a DJ and dancing, and fireworks after dark. Some students wore festive masquerade ball masks with their formalwear.
Prom organizers estimated 410 seniors registered for the event, which staff began planning in late March.
“I think one of the things that we’ve been focused on is adapting,” said Mark Schaetzlein, BGHS assistant principal for student activities and event co-chair. “One of the things we knew right out of the gate was the fact that we can get up to 25% capacity in the stadium. So, we knew right away that we could probably serve close to 500 students.”
He said the school made the “difficult decision” to invite all the seniors and any date they wanted to bring – the companion didn’t have to be another BGHS student.
Schaetzlein said organizers focused on trying to host the most “authentic” prom possible, amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic and public health restrictions.
Stefanie O’Neill, junior class board sponsor, also served as event co-chair with Schaetzlein.
“The class of 2021 has had such a hard past few years, and for them to have this moment, that is what we’ve been searching for all along, to just celebrate their accomplishments and all that they’ve done,” O’Neill said.
Isaly Olaguez, 17, of Buffalo Grove, wore gym shoes under her emerald gown.
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“I think it’s different, but it’s really cool,” Olaguez said about prom.
Grace Mason, 17, a senior from Arlington Heights, arrived at the ball with a group.
“I’m excited,” Mason said.
O’Neill said the prom night helped to give this year’s graduating class “the proper send off.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.