The Southern Boone School District canceled its high school prom due to the COVID-19 pandemic - but the community didn't let that stop them.
With other end-of-the-year events being postponed, the students and parents came together to plan this event so students can have some closure and an opportunity to celebrate.
When graduating senior Maddi Gallup heard prom was canceled, she understood it was because the school doesn't have enough space to maintain social distancing. So rather than being upset, she decided to help plan a prom in a bigger space.
"We wanted to make sure that it was safe and that we weren't putting anyone in danger by having them come because we wanted prom to be a night where we could just have fun, enjoy each other and make these last memories, especially the seniors whose last year got cut short," she said.
Maddi's mom, Ada Gallup, is one of more than 20 parents helping the students plan prom.
"Our top priority was to just have a safe event that allowed the kids to have closure," Ada said.
Ada fought back tears as she remembered her daughter crying after learning school was canceled and she would have to miss out on all the memories seniors normally make during their last year.
"They've lost a lot, and so we want to give them the ability to safely celebrate a huge milestone and have closure," Ada said.
The prom is scheduled from 7:30-11 p.m. July 18 at Capital Bluffs Event Center. This date may change if county guidelines change or if there is a surge in COVID-19 cases, according to the Facebook event, "Parent Sponsored: SoBoCo High School Prom." The event will include a DJ, photo booth, and pre-packaged snacks and drinks.
Any student who was a junior or senior at Southern Boone High School during the 2019-20 school year is permitted to attend the event, and any freshman or sophomore or person younger than 21 is permitted to attend if invited by a junior or senior.
Although there is no statewide or local public health order in effect, it is recommended Missourians limit activity and interactions and continue to maintain social distancing, according to Missouri's Show Me Strong Recovery Plan. The CDC recommends staying at least 6 feet apart from other people.
Southern Boone High School usually holds prom in the school commons area, which is much smaller than the Capital Bluffs Event Center. The Capital Bluffs event center holds 550 people, said co-owner Donna Kolb. About 250-300 students typically attend prom, Maddi said, but she expects fewer than 100 to attend.
"Even if we had a 100 percent turnout rate like everything was normal, we would have way more room than we normally do," Maddi said. "And we have a feeling that it probably will not be to the same capacity that we normally have."
As of Friday morning, 37 people had responded to the Facebook event they will attend, and 93 have responded they are interested. However, Ada said these are mostly parents who she believes are expressing support for the event.
Since Capital Bluffs Event Center is on the boundary line between Cole and Callaway counties, Maddi asked the Callaway County and Cole County health departments for recommendations for the event. Both departments said there are no restrictions, she said, but nurses from the Cole County Health Department recommended having plenty of hand-washing stations, offering masks to attendees, taking temperatures, and requiring a questionnaire on potential symptoms and exposure.
"Being able to do this and making sure that we're doing it safely and responsibly is really important to us," Maddi said. "We're just very excited to be able to do something where we can still make memories and have some closure but also make sure that we're not doing anything to put people in danger."
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the venue, and attendees will be required to use it at check-in. Masks will also be available for those who would like to use one. Attendees will have their temperature checked and be breathalyzed.
Attendees must also sign a liability waiver.
Students are compiling parents' email addresses and will email parents paperwork to sign, including the liability waiver agreeing they are symptom- and exposure-free and they acknowledge the risk of possible exposure to COVID-19 from attending the prom. This must be signed by the attendees and parents to attend the event, and attendees will not be allowed in if they have symptoms or possible exposure to the virus.
The event is sponsored by the parents and community. Jessica Ward from In ANY Event floral and gift boutique donated centerpieces; Christina Cockrell, a mother of a Southern Boone junior, sponsored $500 for the DJ, Safari Sound; and Life Fit Gym sponsored $1,000 for the event. So far, seven people have donated to the event's GoFundMe page with a total of $320 as of Friday evening.
Opportunities to sponsor the photo booth and residual venue costs are still available. The photo booth costs $600, and the residual cost for the venue and liability insurance is $880. They are also accepting food and beverage donations.