Like any other school, Prom is a staple of Lancaster Country Day School’s culture, held every May on the week before Senior graduation.
One major quirk about LCDS Prom is that the Prom Committee plans, budgets, and pays for the entire event. This year’s Prom Committee Co-Heads are Simone L. and Nadia K., two Juniors who have worked rigorously to create the best experience. Both students have been waiting for this opportunity for two years.
“Me and Nadia worked to get a venue that was fun,” Simone says. “We landed on Drumore Estate. It’s very pretty, very picturesque, and that was our main goal.”
The Prom Co-Heads agreed that aesthetics played a large role in planning. After last year’s Prom presentation, Nadia wanted to run with Simone because of her keen eye and innovative personality.
“Her and I are both equally laid back about certain things, and set on others. We’re also both really creative and that helped with fundraising ideas,” Nadia says. “I’d say that an eye for planning and aesthetics would benefit [someone] greatly in this position.”
At this point, they had all of the bases covered. Now came the most difficult part, which was raising money for the actual event.
At the beginning of the year, the Prom Committee starts off with a balance of zero dollars. Simone and Nadia felt pressured in fundraising because their end goal was to sell tickets at a reasonable price.
According to Simone, their biggest obstacle occurred during the school’s annual Halloween Festival.
“We found out that one of our biggest fundraisers was not going to happen, and that was the hayride,” Simone said. “That usually brings in a good amount of profit.”
Some of their fundraising ideas were also rejected, which interfered with the process. Simone proposed Bingo as a fundraising activity, but it was against Pennsylvania’s gambling laws.
The obstacles weren’t only Prom-related, they were school-related, too.
“Figuring out how to balance hours of AP Chemistry homework, five hours spent in a Prom Committee meeting at the venue, including my one hour 15 minute drive back and forth, was challenging to say the least,” Nadia mentioned. “Having such a great Co-Head definitely helped with this.”
Simone sympathized with this, calling it “time-consuming.” However, some of the work was small tasks, such as responding to emails.
Ultimately, Nadia believes the coffee sale brought them the most success.
“Everyone loves [coffee],” she said. “If you have enough, you will make enough, and plan it strategically. Mid-Tri coffee? It’s so easy and fun.”
The two Co-Heads show immense pride at the outcome of all the fundraisers. During the venue tour, Simone immediately set her sights on the location.
She’s noticeably excited about the interior. “[I really fought for] the chandeliers and drapes on the ceiling,” Simone said. “Nadia was not so keen because they were a pretty penny, but I thought it was a necessity. I got them, and I’m so thrilled. I think everyone else will be as well.”
Spanish Teacher Señora Heim shares Simone’s enthusiasm.
“The venue looks amazing, and I think it’s going to be a really beautiful spot,” said Señora Heim. “I think all the students are excited for the coffee bar, as well as the professional photographer. I know that Simone and Nadia have been working really hard.”
Many students don’t understand the amount of work that goes into creating this memorable event each year, believing that Prom is perfectly set up from the get-go.
As Nadia put it, “Junior year was the year of doom and despair” – yet the Prom Co-Heads persevered.
As they graduate from their roles as Prom Committee leaders, Nadia imparts her last words of wisdom for those running next year: “There is a reason there are Prom Co-Heads and not a singular planner, so be a team player.”
Simone adds, “A future Prom Co-Head should have a bubbly and enthusiastic personality, especially when you’re planning such a big party for the majority of our Upper School.”