By Kira Newbert, Staff Writer

As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, upperclasswomen are anxiously awaiting the announcement of prom details. Due to COVID-19, neither the junior or senior classes were able to attend a Trinity Hall prom in 2020, but this year is shaping up to be far more promising. A save-the-date has already been sent out to the senior class, encouraging them to reserve June 8 for their prom, which will be held partially outdoors at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune; however, there has been no official mention of a junior prom, except for a survey from the Community Life council asking about the grade’s interest in an event.

In years preceding the pandemic, juniors and seniors attended the same prom, but it will be challenging to do so this year, as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the state of New Jersey impose capacity limits on gatherings. Senior Meredith Farrington, head of the Community Life council, said that Trinity Hall will be visiting the country club in the upcoming weeks to figure out their capacity limit. If this limit does not allow for both grades to attend and bring dates, then there should be two separate proms: one for seniors and one for juniors.

The class of ‘22 acknowledges that seniors should be given priority for this event as it is their last year at Trinity Hall and also because they missed out on this crucial high school experience last year. Nonetheless, the juniors should not be counted out for prom. Attending prom is considered a rite of passage and creates sentimental memories that students will cherish in the future as they look back on their high school years. 

“Prom is a high school milestone that every student should experience, and it would be a shame for the class of ‘22 to miss out on it,” junior Sofia Paparella said.

Additionally, prom offers the opportunity to celebrate at the end of a long year. Junior year is notorious for being the hardest, most stressful year of high school, characteristics that have only been enhanced by the effects of the pandemic. Prom usually offers solace for stressed juniors and gives them a chance to forget about schoolwork and the stress of exams for the evening. 

“Honestly this year has been so stressful, and I’ve been looking forward to prom at the end of the year. I feel like it will be a great way to end a stressful year!” junior Emma Rokoszak said. 

Not offering this experience to the class of ’22 would mean the juniors’ school year would shape up to be all work with little play, especially since the semi-formal dance, usually held in December, did not occur either. By attending prom, Trinity Hall juniors would enjoy an integral part of their high school experience and would be rewarded after a year of hard work. Juniors should be allowed to enjoy the magical night of prom, either alongside the seniors or at their own location.