On April 5, the Dr. Patricia Robertson Pride Center hosted an under-the-sea-themed prom in the D.P. Culp Student Center Ballroom. The event was in collaboration with the Women and Gender Resource Center and aimed to provide students a chance to have fun before the stressful finals season.
The event was free and open to all students. Faculty were encouraged to come, either through volunteering or participating.
“It’s really fun for faculty and staff to be able to come to our events and have those positive interactions with students,” said Bethanie Dye, Pride Center coordinator.
Exciting elements of the prom were free food and giveaways. Dye shared that it was fully catered, with vegan, vegetarian and sugar-free options. Food choices included a fondue station, DIY drink station and DIY candy table with ocean-themed sweets.
While no queen or king is crowned, students are highlighted through giveaways and interactive games. Prizes were Squishmallows, Legos and Pokémon plushies.
“That way, students have more opportunities to be in the spotlight. To walk away with those bigger positive feelings,” said Dye.
Students were encouraged to dress however they liked. “If you want to be fancy, dress to the nines. If you want to come in your pajamas, come in your pajamas,” said Dye. “The point is to have the experience you want to have and not have to pay for tickets.”
Dye shared that this is the third year of the prom, inspired by students whose high school experiences were impacted by COVID-19. “This is not only an opportunity just to have fun,” said Dye. “It’s an opportunity to reclaim an experience that students weren’t able to have, or they did have, but it wasn’t the way they wanted it to be.”
The prom is highly anticipated every year by students and faculty. “This is one of my favorite events of the whole year,” Dye shared.
