They’ll be dancing to Elvis, Kid Rock and Madonna, with perhaps a pinch of Barry Manilow, at the Weston High School prom.
Who would think students at an Arlington alternative high school would enjoy oldie-but-goodie platter staples?
They are doing it their way at the small school. Teacher and prom adviser Alison Douglas said years ago, Arlington High School was less than gracious about inviting Weston students to the bigger school dance. So Weston began its own tradition that makes students as happy as dancing clams.
"I’m wearing a suit to be different," student Carrie Watson said. "I work at the Bon. I’ll wear it again."
That’s the style at the Weston prom — wear what you want, take a date or not, arrive in a limo or drive, or make your own corsage. They’ve bonded like a family at the cozy alternative school.
"You can focus on being yourself here, not fitting in," Watson said. "We’re mature."
Lynn Johnson is one reason everyone will look divine at the dance. The family and consumer science teacher would have been called the home economics instructor in my day. Johnson volunteers to alter everyone’s attire.
"She is a fabulous seamstress," Douglas said. "She alters the girls’ dresses because most of them don’t have the money or transportation to have it done themselves."
Everyone’s dress goes through Johnson, student Jason Larson said.
Larson, on the prom committee, said he was rejected by groups at the district high school.
Rather than finding many cliques at the alternative school, the campus is a clique of its own, Douglas said. In my day, those who weren’t accepted in the high school in crowd, or sports crowd, or brainiacs, muddled along with the geeks, the stoners or my crowd, who huddled in the back of the journalism room.
For some, they came to the school short of graduation credits but caught up at Weston.
"If you have a history of not showing up at school, you have to attend here," Aly Jennings said. "We’re planning a prom because it’s important. It’s the most memorable night of school."
She ordered her dress online. Their teacher said most of the staff enjoys the dance as much as the students. It sounded to me that last year, teenagers had to nudge some of the teachers out the door.
All grade levels are invited to the dance. Douglas said that reflects the family atmosphere at the school, where about 20 students graduated last year.
The prom is planned for April 16 at Hawthorn Inn and Suites in Smokey Point. There will be floating candles, a photographer and a disc jockey. With a small student body fund, the school has to rely on community donations to make the night special. Bobbi Pohl, who owns Classique Designs Silk Floral and Balloon Decor in Marysville, will decorate for only the cost of the supplies.
"We call her the ‘Balloon Lady,’ " Douglas said. "She adopted our school a few years back when her niece attended Weston. She fell in love with our students and now does all our decorations for prom and graduation at cost … . no labor is charged. She is amazing."
Pohl was voted the school’s community member volunteer of the year in 2001.
To help support the dance, buy Krispy Kreme doughnuts beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at Rite-Aid, 17226 Smokey Point Blvd. in Arlington. They will be on sale while supplies last.
The prom committee buzzed about pre-prom dinner plans, from waterfront restaurants to home spaghetti feeds.
At the dance, they’ll ask the spinner to play some rap, R&B and hip-hop, but they might squeeze in Neil Diamond and Shania Twain. After all, a prom should address tastes of every student, just like a high school where everyone fits in.
Columnist Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
