Dexter Prom Committee Plans Masquerade Ball on Saturday

The halls of Dexter High School are abuzz with excitement over this year's junior/senior prom set for Saturday. While students are intentionally kept in the dark about the evening's festivities, event organizers are promising plenty of fun and intrigue.

"Every year the prom committe, with the help of several volunteers, transforms the high school commons into a spectacular evening," prom co-chairwoman MaryAnn Parr said.

Though she is reluctant to give away any secrets, Parr said this year's theme is based on a masquerade ball, featuring Mardi Gras-type decorations and other hidden surprises.

"Every year we try to outdo the previous year if we can," she said acknowleding that last year's Harry Potter themed prom was a hit with students."Our volunteers do an amazing job."

Parr said seniors vote on their desired theme in the fall based on choices provided by the student council.

This year, students can expect a casino area, karoake, Rock Band, a "nearly wed" game show, fortune telling, a photo booth and dancing.

"There is going to be a lot going on," Parr said.

In keeping with the masquerade theme, Parr said the prom committee sent students masquerade masks with their invitations.

"We're allowing students to come with masks, but they have to take them off in order to get inside," she said.

The prom will begin promptly at 8 p.m. and run through 1 a.m. Sunday morning. Parr said tickets—which cost $35 through today and $40 at the door—are available to juniors and seniors only. However, Parr said students are allowed to bring underclassmen and students from other schools as dates.

On Sunday, the high school will be open from 9 a.m. to noon to allow the public to view this year's decorations.

"We have a lot of people in town who donate their time or money to help make the prom successful every year and we want to be able to show them how much it is appreciated," Parr said.

DHS Principal Kit Moran said he looks forward to the prom every year.

"It's a great hometown tradition," Moran said. "We're always glad that we're able to host prom in our own high school rather than somewhere else. It's hard to believe all the hard work our volunteers put into prom, and I know our students appreciate it. I hope we get through this year's prom safely and everyone has a lot of fun."

For more information on this year's prom, visit the DHS website.