Senior Week honors seniors during their final push towards graduation. Each day from March 31 through April 4, they’ll get to celebrate with treats and activities.
- Monday, March 31 – Black Rock drinks for purchase
- Tuesday, April 1- Raffle
- Wednesday, April 2 – Prom DJ at lunch with a snack cart during third period
- Thursday, April 3 – Popsicles and ice cream
- Friday, April 4 – Donuts
These events celebrate the dedication seniors have showcased throughout high school, grinding through assignments, essays and deadlines.
Senior week leads up to prom on April 6, a time for excitement and glamour. Students can spend time with friends and loved ones while getting ready, taking pictures and dancing the night away. The coveted titles of prom king and queen are given to two special students chosen by their peers on April 3 and 4. The prom court makes up the possible options.
Lauren Short, 12, a Varsity Softball player, is excited to be one of the candidates for prom queen.
“It’s something I’ve never really been able to experience before,” Short said. “I’ve never ran for Homecoming or anything like that, and I really like seeing all of the people who would like me, possibly, for prom queen.”
Sofia Wachholz, 12, a Varsity Cheerleader, is excited to represent her school on the court.
“In cheer, we’re really used to being in front of a crowd, whether it be performing or speaking, so I think that really comes into play being on court as well,” Wachholz said.
The last candidate for prom queen has had lots of involvement with special events. As the Pep and Spirit Coordinator for Maverick Leadership, Caroline Dove, 12, has been planning prom for months.
“I’m in Leadership, so we’ve been doing a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff with the menu and [visiting] the prom location to see where decorations would go,” Dove said.
She’s also been taking time for herself to prepare for the big day.
“Me, personally, for prom, I’ve… bought heels, I’ve bought jewelry, I got my dress altered and I picked it up yesterday and it’s so pretty! I’m getting my nails done on Friday, so I’m so excited!” Dove said.
As a prom king candidate from Leadership, Reshawn Edwards,12, knows that the event is going to be a good time, albeit different from the last dances he’s helped plan.
“It’s a new experience. I get to experience prom and senior week in a different type of way, [this time as a senior],” Edwards said.
He’s not only looking forward to the night of the dance, but of the games leading up to it.
“Emerson Leadership works really hard on planning the dress up days and planning the activities to make it fun for people,” Edwards said.
On the other hand, some students never aim to be in the spotlight. For Rintaro Shimizu, 12, the spotlight found its way to him.
“My friends put me up to this. By the time I noticed, I was already nominated and then a few days went by and I won [the nomination]! So I didn’t really expect it,” Shimizu said.
Not only is it a unique experience, but a time for celebration with loved ones. For Shimizu, the teachers are a big part of his education.
“I really like the teachers here… Instead of teachers, they’re friends. All [of them] teased me for being prom king,” Shimizu said.
As a Varsity Football Captain, the final candidate up for prom king, Christian Lyons, 12, knows that the student body has an impact on final decisions.
“I’ve had the privilege of seeing a lot of planning firsthand, being in Leadership,” Lyons said. “They’ve put a lot of time and effort into decoration planning and gathering the opinions of a lot of people, [and] I think the wide variety of people they’ve collected information from is what’s going to make it special.”
All of the candidates are excited for the dance, and what the night has in store for them.
“It’s a really fun experience to wrap up the final year at Emerson High School,” Shimizu said.
Prom will stick out as a momentous night to remember, a reminder that seniors have made it to graduation.
“Whether I win or not, I know it’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Short said.
Follow @ehsleadership on Instagram to keep up with Senior Week festivities. Prom takes place on Saturday, April 5 at the McKinney Cotton Mill. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $100. Be safe and have fun, Mavericks!
