Walking to the bus in the chilly November air, I felt rain drops pelt against my face. It was nearly time for classes 4B and 8A to get their Maturita sashes and dance the night away! There are many similarities between U.S. proms and Czech proms, from what I experienced. But, of course, there are many differences as well, and I might have to say that Czech proms are a bit more exciting.
At my high school in the U.S., students dressed similarly. It was the one night a year where girls could wear decadent long gowns, and where guys could dress in tuxedos with bow ties. I enjoyed seeing the gorgeous outfits at GPOA's prom this year. In the U.S., students pay for their prom tickets, and parents and teachers are not invited. However, parents can volunteer to chaperone during the night, and teachers who chaperone during prom get paid; it is not something they particularly enjoy attending. Of course, in the U.S. alcohol is strictly prohibited since the legal drinking age is 21, and students are only 17 or 18.
Parents and teachers come together in the Czech Republic, however, to celebrate their students in the final year. It is a wonderful celebration of achievement and fun, so I loved experiencing this. I was a huge fan of the photo booth and the props people used to spice up their prom pictures. I tried a couple of times to win prizes in the raffles, but even though I didn't win anything, I was so intrigued by the different options the students had made available to prom attendees. My favorite part was watching my students walk out to their favorite songs to get their ribbons pinned on and their sashes placed over their shoulders. It was so fun to watch friends and family go crazy with the noise makers and streamers, but I felt kind of bad for the folks whose parents threw Czech crowns at them -- that must've hurt. Nevertheless, everyone's smiles and laughter made the night very special.
The band was incredible, and even more so when I found out that many of the members are associated with GPOA. And how could I forget the midnight surprises?! ...I saved the most fun review for last:
The anticipation was killing me the entire night because I knew my students had planned quite the extravagant shows for the middle of the night. I adored 8A's decades dance, and it brought back so many memories for me of my own prom as different songs played. I was especially proud when students started doing the YMCA. I equally loved 4B's incredible mash-up of fun dances. I appreciate that they had taught me the SKIBIDI dance already during class that last week, so I was prepared for when they started busting the moves out to the catchy tune.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and one that I am forever grateful to have recorded videos from. I shared the experience with family and friends back home, and they were very impressed with my students' talented midnight surprise sequences, and they loved seeing pictures that captured the atmosphere. I am surely looking forward to the rest of the celebrations that will come as the school year goes on!
Click here to check out the professional photos that were taken!