CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- It was a smaller prom than originally planned for a few Montgomery Central High Class of 2020 seniors who donned beautiful formal dresses and menswear to create the memories all seniors cherish.
Due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, all Clarksville-Montgomery County School System proms were cancelled and graduations rescheduled for later summer.
Corona could not stop these seniors’ prom, because their parents wouldn’t allow it.
Danielle Stack, the mother Madison Casey, MCHS seniors, said her daughter and her friends thought of the idea to still have a prom, but on a much smaller scale.
“Madison let me know they wanted to have a prom on their originally scheduled date, but they were going to have it at someone’s house,” Stack said. “I went into action. I am a little extra at times!”
Stack and several other moms started a Facebook chat and began diligently planning to make a very special prom for their seniors. They turned the senior’s plans into a version with a little pizzazz and thoughtful creativity.
The group of close friends included Madison Casey, Cole Atkins, Megan Lehman, Lauren McCall, Anna Holt, Emily Travis, Madisen Hodges, Hope Johnson, Lexi Webb, Austin Johnson, Michael Lobdell, Kayla Eddins, Angelina Soto, Hayden Heflin,Nicholas Rye and a friends who weren’t seniors, Graham Blackwell, Antonio Colon and former grad Clay Cheek.
Instead of having it at someone’s home, the prom was held at Wedding Belles downtown in their event space venue upstairs and decorated elegantly.
“The setting was amazing!! We had two photographers present, doing candid and group or couple shots,” Stack said. “The kids wanted chick fil-a so they had chicken and fruit. They played their own music playlist, talked, laughed, ate, and danced. They also had awesome gift bags to walk away with. Then headed out to the after prom bonfire at the Lehman home.”
The event was small, intimate and fun for the seniors who said they enjoyed it just as much as they would have a bigger prom.
“I am grateful that my daughter and her friends had this night,” Stack said. “To hear their laughter and see their smiles meant everything to all the parents. With all the parents working together, we were able to get it done. Thank you to every one that helped us make this happen!”
The social evening brought happy feelings and memories for the seniors who like most all seniors, have been distraught since their school year ended prematurely, prom cancelled and graduation moved.
“My daughter has been devastated, we have cried together and she has cried herself to sleep at night,” Stack said. ” As a mother you feel helpless. I have also got to watch her bounce back, to make the best of it and some what move on to the next phase in life. It made my heart happy to see my daughter want to serve her friends and make this extra special for them. .. In my eyes my daughter will always be amazing, she has worked hard and kept a kind heart. She cares for others and it really shows.”
Emily Travis, was one of the seniors who attended the special event.
“Seeing how happy and excited all the kids were made my heart melt,” said Freida Travis, her mother.” These seniors have had so many precious memories taken from them, not being able to say final goodbyes to teachers and friends that they’ve spend many years with. Emily was very appreciative of the moms, dads and businesses that came together and made this possible. I enjoyed helping out, and can only hope that each of them will treasure their 2020 senior prom.”
If you are a Class of 2020 parent celebrating your senior in a special or creative way, we want to hear about it. Email us your story and photos to news@clarksvillenow.com