Prom 2021: There might be dancing, there might be food, they will follow COVID guidelines

For the second straight year, central Pa. high school seniors will be missing a traditional milestone.

Some schools are still calling it a prom, although the only similarities might be photos and outfits. Other schools are holding some kind of senior picnic or special event that may or may not involve formal attire.

And other schools are bypassing the event altogether.

Thanks, COVID.

Last year the pandemic hit Pennsylvania in mid-March. By the time prom season rolled around, the state was in a lockdown and brick and mortar school buildings were closed.

No proms. No spring sports. Graduation ceremonies were anything but traditional.

Things were supposed to be different for the Class of 2021.

And some of it has been. Sports seasons have been truncated, but held. Plays, musicals and concerts were held virtually or with very limited audiences. School districts have held some kind of in-person learning.

But proms are mostly still out. State guidelines eased in early April, allowing for larger groups to gather, as long as face masks were worn and social distancing was practiced.

The social distancing is the part that makes a prom difficult because it’s tough to dance and stay 6 feet from your partner.

Many schools in central Pa. are holding events that don’t include dancing. They include picnics, movies, games and raffles on athletic fields and in gyms.

Littlestown is holding a senior sendoff that gives students a chance to strut their stuff from the high school to the stadium as families are encouraged to “cheer them on,” according to the school website.

Hanover and Chambersburg are among the few schools holding something at a venue.

Hanover is holding an outside event at Hanover Country Club. It doesn't include dancing, but there will be entertainment and prizes.

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Chambersburg’s prom is part of a group of events that will be held to replace those unable to be held since March 2020: Color Day, class-spirit extravaganza, Homecoming variety show will lead up to prom at Green Grove Gardens in Greencastle. Face masks and a temperature and symptom screening are required, and the event is limited to members of the school’s junior and senior classes.

“We really want to leave this school year with a positive image,” Chambersburg principal Brad Ocker said. “And that’s why … we’re working so diligently to make sure the Class of 2021 and all students this year are afforded the same opportunities as in the past.”

Northeastern junior class advisors and student leaders put together a plan for an alternative event, but principal Matthew Gay said the students didn’t go for it.

“We planned the Senior Garden Party, [where] pods of 30-40 students would have lunch/dinner in one of our courtyards, catered by a BBQ company,” Gay said. “After an hour for the meal, that pod would move to the next courtyard for desserts and yard games. They would then have that pod for an hour.”

Gay said fewer than 35 bought tickets, which didn’t make the event feasible. Officials also tried to host a dinner at a local venue, but that didn’t work out.

He’s heard that a group of families of seniors have rented an area facility for a traditional prom, but it’s something that doesn’t involve the school.

A similar event is being hosted by parents of New Oxford seniors, who have rented a local fire hall for a more traditional event.

Northern Lebanon is trying something completely different. Seniors can attend a four-hour celebration at the school, but it will be held on a Tuesday instead of a weekend.

Here is a look at schools in Adams, Franklin, Lebanon and York counties that are hosting prom or replacement senior events (this list will be updated as more information becomes available).

Adams County

Littlestown: Senior Sendoff from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 8 in the football stadium. There will be multiple activities, games, music, food, snacks and beverages.

New Oxford: Senior prom hosted by parents at SAVES Fire Hall on May 15.

Franklin County

Chambersburg: Juniors and seniors can attend the prom on May 8 at Green Grove Gardens in Greencastle.

James Buchanan: Planned for May 14 in the school gym, the formal event will feature “socially distanced activities” instead of dancing.

Greencastle-Antrim: Seniors and their dates can attend the May 1 event held in a tent at Green Grove Gardens. It is not a strictly formal event and students don’t have to get dressed up if they don’t want to.

Lebanon County

Annville-Cleona: Traditional prom will be held starting at 6:30 p.m. April 30 at the Hershey Lodge.

Northern Lebanon: Event will be held at the school from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 18.

York County

Central York: Formal attire is preferred for the event held in the high school athletic courtyard from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on May 15.

Dover: A senior event will be held May 22 on the practice football field, featuring a picnic style dinner, photo booth, movie and other events.

Hanover: High school students can attend the outdoor event at Hanover Country Club that begins at 6 p.m. May 7. There won’t be dancing, but there will be entertainment, raffles and prizes throughout the night.

Susquehannock: Susky Under the Stars will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 21 at the football field. Sections will be marked off for eating, dancing, etc. and prizes will be given out throughout the night. Catered boxed dinners and desserts will be served instead of a sit-down meal.

Spring Grove: A Senior Luau in the Grove will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. May 26 at the field hockey fields. The event features outdoor games, food, campfire, DJ and prizes.

West York: A senior picnic will be held instead of a prom, but details have not yet been finalized.

York Suburban: An outdoor event with dancing will be held on the football field from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 7. Social distancing must be practiced, even during dancing. No high heels on the turf, and shoes must be worn at all times.

Shelly Stallsmith is a trends reporter for the York Daily Record. She can be reached at mstallsmith@ydr.com or followed on Twitter at @ShelStallsmith.