After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled Geary's prom in 2020, students were back at it on Friday, April 30, for their first prom night in two years.
This year's prom had a Western theme and many students could be seen sporting cowboy hats and colorful prints as they drove past the Geary High School gymnasium Friday for pictures before departing on a bus to the event at the Boots & Chaps venue.
For many Geary seniors, it marked the only prom of their high school careers. Senior Tony Davidson said it "means a lot" to the seniors to be able to experience this tradition once before graduation.
"This is like the best part of the whole school year, besides graduation, in my opinion," Davidson said. "You get to dress up sharp with your best friends, ride cool cars on the way here and stuff. This is great."
The pre-dance "promenade" took place right out side the school this year so students wouldn't be required to wear masks throughout. Per tradition, the students drove up to the school with their dates and then took a "red carpet" walk.
Many students drove muscle cars, limousines and other sporty vehicles to the event.
First-year Geary High School Principal Christa Burns said prom was a fitting end to a challenging year. "It means a whole bunch of normalcy for them," Burns said. "They've all been terrified that they weren't going to get their prom and their graduation senior year, so it's been great for them. They're so excited.
"Every junior showed up to decorate last night, and they've been talking about it for weeks. I'm just thrilled for them to get to have it."
Kale Smith is just a sophomore, but he attended Friday's prom with his upperclassman date, Ashley Charley. Smith said he's hoping the prom marks a return to normalcy for the rest of his high school career.
"It was a little different this year, just because of masks and all the distancing, it was a lot different than it usually is," Smith said. "I'm glad to be able to be back to school around people."
"It was kind of different at first," Davidson agreed. "You're constantly switching into quarantine, and a bunch of the athletics were different. I'm kind of excited that we're getting back to normal here, and quarantine is starting to chill out a little bit."
Geary's graduation ceremony is on Saturday, April 15.