After-prom is an after-the-dance activity hosted by the school to help kids stay safe and win fun prizes. Salida High School’s After-Prom
Chloe Epperson, a SHS senior, shared that one of her favorite parts of the night was watching everyone receive their prizes and seeing how excited they were. Another SHS senior, Ciara Ruiz said her favorite event of the night was “hands-down” glow-in-the-dark volleyball. Ruiz continued to say that it’s a memory she’ll hold on to. The activity added excitement and gave many students a safe way to stay active after the dance. Epperson also enjoyed activities like glow in the dark volleyball and bubble soccer, which kept the energy high throughout the night.
Beyond the games, Ruiz emphasized how after-prom created opportunities to connect with others. She shared that events allowed her to spend time with people she doesn’t usually talk to on a daily basis, making the experience feel more inclusive and social. Another exciting aspect of the night was the prizes. Items like an iPad and MacBook were especially appealing, particularly for seniors preparing for college. Although she didn’t win a prize herself, she still described the overall experience as fun and worthwhile.
Similarly, Epperson said she spent time with many of her friends both during prom and after prom, adding to the social experience. She also thought the addition of a large prize box this year was a fun and competitive improvement compared to last year.
Ruiz also said that this year’s after-proms offered more activities than previous years. She was pleasantly surprised by the variety and hopes that every student was able to find something they enjoyed. The wide range of options helped make the event engaging for everyone.
While Epperson enjoyed the event, she felt it was slightly rushed compared to last year, though still exciting overall. She also mentioned that she personally enjoyed prom a little more, mainly because it was her last dance.
Ruiz highlighted the role after-prom plays in keeping students safe. She talked about while many students might otherwise attend parties, after-prom provides a safer alternative where students can still have fun. With volunteers organizing the event, it creates a positive environment that brings people together.
Epperson suggested that future after-proms could combine ideas from both years by having prizes at the end of the night to encourage students to stay longer, while still including larger prize options for more winners.
