A Hollywood Prom - The Byway

The junior prom is something all kids dream about since the time they were little tots. Sparkly dresses, loud music and a night full of memories is what the juniors take away from their prom. For Piute High School’s class of 2025, prom was a magical and eventful night.

This year’s junior class at Piute High broke tradition and set a new path. Prom is usually held in the high school’s old gym, but this year, all the decorations were in the new gym. Principal Bagley suggested that the juniors hold their prom in the new gym, since the old gym is getting renovated for the new student center. Piute’s custodians helped the juniors section the gym and put curtains up.

A circle of alternating boys and girls in tuxedos and formal dresses. The boys face inside the circle, lifting the girls, who sit facing outside. — One of the iconic lifts from the movie Dirty Dancing is performed by the junior class. *Courtesy of Mandy Morrill*.

The juniors had a Hollywood-themed prom. So, naturally, they had a red carpet, checked floor, popcorn and pictures of the Hollywood stars, or the junior class. Prom committee member Kamren Gayler said, “We found a lot of our inspiration from other schools. Every decoration in the gym was either made in the shop classes or borrowed.”

Many of the junior boys took decoration ideas to their shop teachers, Dan Springer and Morgan Hoyt, and were able to build beautiful and professional signature pieces and backdrops. Gayler commented saying, “Everyone had a role setting up and did their part. We all worked hard and it came together and looked good!”

Junior couples dance at Piute's prom. — Sage Nowers and Carter Sudweeks, along with the rest of the class smile as they perform their promenade dance. *Courtesy of Mandy Morrill*.

One of the most special pieces of the junior prom was a section dedicated to late class member, Jacky Nunez. Gayler explained that the juniors put up a slideshow of her and fellow students when they were younger. Jacky’s picture and silhouette drawing were also displayed.

The juniors also made the voting for the prom court a class decision. The votes were aimed at who helped the most with the setup. Cache Sudweeks and Amy Morgan took 2nd attendant, Emma Davis and Trevor Pearson were 1st attendant, and Miriam Thomas and Carter Sudweeks were the prom king and queen.

– by Ari Hurdsman

Piute's junior prom court with their Hollywood curtains and red carpet backdrop. — Trevor Pearson and Emma Davis, Carter Sudweeks and Miriam Thomas, and Cache Sudweeks and Amy Morgan take their prom court picture. *Courtesy of Mandy Morrill*.

Feature image caption: Piute High School’s junior class at their Hollywood-themed prom. 2024. Courtesy of Mandy Morrill.

Ari Hurdsman – Junction

Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.