Starlit Paradise--Prom 2008

Well, let me just tell you, this was the dang weirdest prom I have ever been to (or heard of) in my life! I'll start off by saying I'm really glad I was there and I actually had a lot of fun :). I bought a new skirt and sweater for the occasion--new clothes are always fun (shout out to my mamacita for going shopping with me!). The music was pretty good (not always the most feasible dancing music, but pretty good). The food was great, there were TONS of modest dresses (I was so proud), everyone looked good and seemed to be having a good time, and I really did have fun "socializing" as Mr. Lacy instructed me to.

I arrived right on time. Pretty much there were a bunch of chaperone's and maybe three couples at the time. I actually didn't like "hanging out" with the chaperone's so just took a seat, waiting for the party to get started. I don't know how many of you know that I LOVE TO DANCE. Yep. Those weekly stake dances in high school really did something to me. I LOVE it. And, if I say so myself, I'm not half bad. So there I was with hardly any prom attendees and a wide open dance floor. I'm not going to lie, I was tempted. But, so early in the night, I couldn't expose my inner secret and "bust a move." The timing wasn't right.

Slowly gussied girls and tuxedoed boys started coming in. And standing in the dance floor. Or worse, sitting on the chairs lining the walls. No one was dancing--I was mystified. I started making the rounds--telling the girls they looked beautiful, the guys they looked sharp, trying to encourage them to dance. It worked with Jill and Dane. They actually didn't need much prodding. They went out alone--and they stayed out there alone. Get this: no one joined them. Weird. I honestly didn't know what to make of it.

And then it got weirder. Not only did more bright, shiny, and sparkley partners keep coming, but so did the PARENTS. Apparently it is the "thing" in small southern Utah towns for Prom to be a family event. I'm not joking. I think there were equal numbers of younger siblings, parents, and grandparents as there were high schoolers. The parents ate the food and sat around watching their youngin's not dancing. They really weren't dancing. The music was playing and they were in the middle of the floor--and occasionally someone would sway to the beat--but not real, honest-to-goodness dancing. More would come out for the slow songs--you know, doing the sway. I was starting to get annoyed. I staked myself by the refreshment table and started threatening people:

Me: Hey, Michael. You look sharp. Are you having fun? Why aren't you dancing?"
Michael: "I did dance once.
Me: Slow songs don't really count. If you don't get out there, I WILL.
Michael: (looking surprised) Uh, if you dance, I will. But really, guys can't dance. It's too embarrassing. The girls can dance if they want. I only do slow songs.
Me: excuse me??

I couldn't handle it. Honestly. More of them would dance for a slow song, but it still was pretty sparse. Finally, after a better danced slow song, as everyone started heading back for their chairs, I skipped my way out to the middle of the floor, calling out, "Hey, where do you think you're going? Get back out here and dance!" And I gave it all I got--spinning and hip-shaking, and well, dancing. They crowded around and cheered "Go Ms. T!" and joined in a little bit (I think they just don't know how to shake-shake it. So sad). I started right in the middle of the floor, but found once I got them dancing, I needed to work way outward to get the awkward stragglers on the fridges. I even danced over to a row of sitters and, while still giving it all I had, egged them on: "You goina' let the teacher show you up? Come, show me what you've got!" Remember, the dance floor was lined with parents. But I did everything I could to pull those kids out there. Amid laughing, whistling, cheering, and dancing, I tried to liven that dance up!

I think it worked a little bit. The music was pre-tracked, so the DJ didn't have much control over what came on next--which, of course, was another slow song, totally killing the momentum. In my opinion, there were WAY too many slow songs. And even songs that weren't slow songs they slow danced too. At 10:30 the juniors danced "prominad"--a choreographed partner dance. Parents took pictures. Then came the prom court and king and queen (all announced at prom--non of the all-week activities). After that it died down a bit. The parents started leaving (thank goodness) and the high schoolers danced more. I guess I would feel awkward dancing if the town was watching me too. Oh wait. The town was watching me. And I'm an outsider. And the "teacher." I sure am good at giving people something to talk about. Anyhow, the best dancing happened in the last half hour. I didn't get out there again (it was tempting). I really don't like just sitting and watching, however, so I started helping the moms in the kitchen (replenishing water, making up the sandwiches, cutting cheesecake). It was better than watching all those big swishy dresses be wasted on slow songs only.

Seriously, I think I need to devote a Friday class period to teaching these guys how to lose their self-consciousness and DANCE! Because, for real, I showed most of them up. And I'm the teacher!

The new outfit (and new handbag made just for the occasion!)

PS to my dear, beloved Blandingites. I hope you are in no way offended by this post. That is not my intention! I also hope you join with me in encouraging the high schoolers to dance!