Middleton High School’s Prom, “A Midnight Gala,” will be held this Saturday, April 9 from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Monona Terrace. The prom committee has been working since January to put the dance together by organizing decorations, music, refreshments, and more.

The “Midnight Gala” theme will be conveyed through shades of blue and pewter that will be found in balloons, tablecloths, and centerpieces. There will be a coat check, punch, water, and dessert treats available, which are all included in the cost of the ticket. Students who have not purchased tickets on MyPaymentsPlus will be able to buy them at the door for $25.

Math teacher Mrs. Karla Schweickhardt, who assists with the prom committee, explained that prom is early this year due to the availability of the Monona Terrace. 

“Every year we are basically at their disposal, [taking] whatever date they happen to have. Often it’s around mid-May, but [this year], they had nothing.”

Because of this, the prom committee had to start planning early, sending out prom theme voting forms at the beginning of February. They also had to organize a junior and senior prom court, something that usually is only reserved for juniors.

Prom court honorees will be announced during the dance and presented with a sash. For seniors, Brooks Kryshak, Vesa Ljumani, Mia Pence, Mike Roach, and Daphne Wu will be honored. For juniors, prom court will include Sonya Agapov, Maeve Carlson, Jack Sanderson, Owen Sheehan, and Nicky Westerlund.

Adding a senior prom court was not the only change this year, Schweickhardt explained. 

“Usually just juniors plan [prom], but since this year’s seniors didn’t have the opportunity to plan last year, or even go to it last year, we decided that we would take input from both classes.”

Students were also able to provide input through the song recommendation form, which the DJ will review with prom committee members prior to the dance. 

Following a two-year loss of traditional proms due to COVID-19, Schweickhardt and the prom committee are excited to welcome students back to the ballroom for “A Midnight Gala.”