Prom night glitzfest

Suzie Harrison

It’s the high school version of the Academy Awards. With less than a

week before Saturday night’s junior/senior prom, Stephanie Morgan,

18, is getting a manicure and pedicure after school.

One of five nominated princesses of the court, Stephanie says she

lucked out finding the perfect dress.

“I found it shopping last year. It stood out; I liked it a lot, so

I went ahead and bought it.”

There’s still much to be done, like finding the right jewelry

andprocuring a boutonniere for her date, she says. “It’s kind of an

all-day thing. I’ll get my hair done at a salon and make-up by

Stephanie George,” a student and friend who the senior says will be

doing a lot of girls’ make-up. “She’s really good.”

As for style trends this year, Stephanie says the buzz is “short

and strappy.” Stephanie says she is surprised to be a princess

nominee. The senior class votes and chooses five girls and five guys,

who find out prom night if they are king or queen.

Stephanie will be part of an entourage traveling in an SUV

limousine that seats 45.

“First we’ll go to a friend’s house in Three Arch Bay, having

catered dinner and take pictures and all that. Then we’ll go to

Angels stadium -- prom is going to be in the Diamond Club.”

Apres prom, they’ll drive around in the limo since they have it

rented until 3 a.m. Most likely there will be after-parties to

attend.

Kat Gordon, 18, is low-key about her dress selection.

“I’m actually just wearing what I was wearing at winter formal

last year,” Kat says. “No one will really remember it.”

She’s heard that this year’s fashion is glitz. “Everyone is going

for bright, flashy outfits, gold shoes, jewelry and big dangling

earrings,” Kat says. “Some guys will wear top hats -- people aren’t

afraid to do something out there.”

Kat, too, says a manicure and pedicure are a must, but doubts

she’ll go the salon route for hair.

“I have curly hair; it will be fine down. I don’t think I’ll get

it done,” she says”I don’t like having it up really.”

Though she went freshman year, she thinks this year will be more

memorable.

“All my friends, everyone I know is going, so it’s going to mean a

lot more,” Kat says. “I’m going by myself. I didn’t feel I needed to

go with someone. I’m going in a limo with a bunch of people, having

dinner before and everything.”

Dena Berkson, 18, found her dress last weekend and made the

jewelry she’ll wear.

“This year I was very lucky I found my dress after only the second

store I went to,” Dena says. “I fell in love with it right away,

normally it takes forever.”

On the day of prom, she’ll be getting her nails and hair done, of

course. “All the girls get together and do make-up together,” Dena

says.

She’ll also be part of large limo group with her friends.

“I’m sentimental but glad this year we’re going as a nice big

group and will be with all my friends,” Dena says. “It’s a fun way

to celebrate the end of high school and to say goodbye to everybody.”