It’s Prom Season!
After two years of the event’s absence, it was confirmed by Eric Hamber’s Grad Committee and administration that the Class of 2022 will be having a prom. On April 19, a letter was sent to grads revealing that the Dinner Dance will take place on Thursday, May 19 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Pan Pacific Hotel. Entrance tickets to function are priced at $165. Those who cannot afford to pay the fee are encouraged to contact the Grad Committee sponsor to request financial aid.
Hazara Sandhu (12), a member of Hamber’s Grad Committee, gave insight into the planning of the highly-anticipated dance. “The Pan Pacific was our first choice venue. Due to COVID, [our admin] wanted to wait to book it, but as we got closer to the date, they gave us the go-ahead. We were also looking at the Fairmont, but prices were better for the Pan Pacific,” she revealed.
Since finalizing the date and location of Prom, the Committee focussed on bringing their vision for the venue to life. This involves hiring a DJ, purchasing decorations, and planning a photo booth for attendees to use. Each of these details will reflect the event’s theme: “When The Clock Strikes 12.” Grad Comm hopes to transform the Pan Pacific into a “midnight ballroom”, filling it with deep shades of blue and purple, and hints of shimmering silver.
Although the Class of 2022’s prom was only confirmed to happen in mid-April, the Class of 2022 had begun their preparations months prior. “I went prom dress shopping in November,” Sandhu shared, “It’s something I’ve been really looking forward to throughout the years because I have a lot of first cousins. I went dress shopping with all of them. It’s become a tradition for them to come with me and for me to go with them.” An Instagram account sharing all of the Prom dresses purchased by Hamber seniors has been updated consistently since January of this year, and now has over 40 posts.
In addition to searching for the perfect Prom outfit, grads have started to consider who they would like to attend the Dinner Dance with. While some prefer to pop the question to their date-of-choice in private, others enjoy promposing publicly. Hamber students witnessed the Class of 2022’s first grand promposal at Hamber’s largest sports event of the year, Midtown Showdown. During the tournament’s half-time show, Liam Pike (12) took the floor and promposed to fellow grad, Alicia Clare (12), who enthusiastically agreed to attend Prom with him. Creative promposals continue to make appearances at school events, sports games, and even during class time.
The Class of 2022 has had mixed reactions to the confirmation of the Dinner Dance. Many have expressed that they are looking forward to at- tending the traditional Grad event. “I’m most excited to bust out some sick dance moves on the dance floor and see my friends dripped out!” David Guo (12) exclaimed. Others, however, do not understand the excitement surrounding the dance. “I’m kind of indifferent about it,” Matthew Chong (12) voiced. Regardless, Chong admitted that he will still be participating in the event’s formalities. “It’s part of the Grade 12 experience,” he stated, “I’m going to ask my date out, then get a suit that matches her stuff. I’ll ask her in a special way, but probably not at school.”