Back in town

Mike Swanson

Laguna Beach High School’s first prom within city limits in more than

30 years Saturday featured several girls who went it alone, a more

low-key but lavish setup than previous proms and either short or no

limousine rides.

Seniors Nathan Greene and Katie Johnson, along with junior Marissa

Reisman, called it the best formal dance they’d been to, and loved

that it was at the Montage Resort and Spa. Though the seniors did say

it seemed that less students than usual attended.

“I’d rather hang out with my friends at a house than in a limo

anyway,” said Reisman, who went stag with five friends. “I know a lot

of people get excited about the limo just because it’s expensive and

luxurious or whatever, but I guess I’m just not one of those people.”

Greene and Johnson, who went together, ordered a 16-person limo

only for the ride home, but American Limousine Services and Bay

Limousine delivered a 12-person limo instead, Greene said. Twelve

took the ride and a special trip by a non-limo picked up the rest.

“My mom was up ‘til two heckling the company,” Greene said.

Difficulties with the limo were the only negatives of the evening,

he said, and being so close to home made things a bit easier.

Johnson said all three proms she’s attended were fun and looked

fine, but she appreciated the Montage’s simple approach and the DJ’s

eclectic selection.

“Everything was so nice,” she said. “Sometimes places overdo it

and decorate so much that it ends up looking too busy. Same with the

music. We’ve had proms with all techno, but this one just had a good

mix of all kinds of music that anyone can dance to.”

Johnson was equally impressed with the food selection.

“In the past,” she said, “they’ve had weird random food, but this

time they focused on the sweets. Everybody eats dinner before prom

anyway.”

Greene, Johnson and Reisman all mentioned a chocolate fountain

flowing into a bed of strawberries as the Montage’s most impressive

display of eye candy.

Greene called this year’s prom laid back and simply fun, with

nothing too crazy happening.

“There weren’t drunk kids making a scene like last year,” Johnson

said. “Or maybe there were drunk kids there, but at least they didn’t

make a scene.”