ne of downtown Columbus’ most anticipated annual events has arrived.
Juniors and seniors from three high schools — Columbus North, Columbus East and Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech — will flock to The Commons for tonight’s prom. More than 1,100 students are expected to attend.
Their mode of arrival is part of the fun.
In prom night tradition, students are expected to arrive in vehicles such as limousines, homemade floats, classic cars, tractors or even boats, as their predecessors have done.
But students also come up with new forms of transportation each year, often following the theme for that year happens, Columbus East prom sponsor DeAnna Stott said.
This year’s theme is “Destination Prom.”
Some prom couples will circle around The Commons multiple times before entering the 9 p.m. prom, Columbus Signature Academy New Tech prom sponsor Katie Ferguson said.
And parents don’t want to miss any of it.
It’s common for them to show up as early as 7 a.m. to reserve a spot in front of The Commons to take photos, Stott said.
“This gives the kids a celebrity feel, and it makes it really special,” Ferguson said.
Making way for the heavy downtown traffic, parking on Washington and Fourth streets adjacent to The Commons will be restricted from 6 p.m. today to 1 a.m. Sunday.
While the red-carpet treatment contributes to the fun, two students from each of the three Columbus high schools — one boy and one girl — will be spoiled even more.
Winners of this year’s prom contest are:
David Reed and Sonia Ramos, Columbus Signature Academy — New Tech.
Savannah Combs and Jason Sprague, Columbus North.
Megan Petro and Dylan Thompson, Columbus East.
Each of them and their dates will enter shortly after 8 p.m., before other attendees, based on their winning “A Night to Remember” submissions. Students were invited to enter an essay, poem or video, etc. explaining why they should win, with one boy and one girl winner from each school.
They receive:
A free prom ticket for themselves and their date.
A free haircut/hair styling and makeup from Michelle’s Renaissance.
A free corsage or boutonnieres from Fisher’s Flowers Basket.
Dinner at Smith’s Row restaurant.
Winning students and their dates will get a ride from Smith’s Row to The Commons at 8 p.m., courtesy of the Bob Poynter Family of Dealerships.
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What: BCSC “Destination Prom”
When: 9 p.m. to midnight today
Where: The Commons, 300 Washington St.
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