Opera Nightclub in midtown Atlanta opened its doors to NC students, who enjoyed a night of dancing and celebration at their prom, on Saturday, April 16.

After hours of primping, students arrived at a venue vastly different from the hotel ballrooms where most schools hold their proms. NC incorporated several unique elements into its event which received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students and staff alike.

Over 600 students purchased tickets for Saturday’s event, whose theme, “putting on the ritz,” incorporated elements reminiscent of the roaring twenties. After spending months ensuring students would enjoy a memorable evening, the event’s coordinator, chemistry teacher Jordan Tidrick, received “very positive” feedback from everyone in attendance.

Between photo booths, tables with party favors, and the dancefloor, prom attendees found little opportunity to experience boredom. At the night’s midpoint, all students paused while DJ’s revealed the individuals named to the 2016 prom court.

Continuing the school’s unique partnership between prom and the NC Relay for Life Club, prom court nominees earn votes through both homeroom elections and donation collection for the American Cancer Society. Among the nominees who collected $1800 worth of donations to earn a vote for every $2, NC Senior and prom queen Makayla Johnson commented, “it felt good giving to a such an important cause.”

Besides Johnson, prom queen, NC voted Senior Gerald Mitchell as its prom king. Students named juniors Andrew Gasparini and Kamree Moore to the court as prince and princess. The prom court also included staff members James Auld and Sue Jackson, who received recognition as prom lord and lady, respectively.

Among the countless smiling faces in attendance, Gasparini stayed at Opera until the event’s ultimate moments. Describing the significance of his prom court win, Gasparini explained, “I love NC, so to be voted by my peers was an awesome experience and amazing opportunity.”

Saturday constituted NC’s third year of hosting its prom at the Opera nightclub, which includes both indoor and outdoor areas. Inside of Opera, students passed between two levels of spaces for seating, observing, and dancing.  

Jennifer Johnson, Advanced Scientific Research teacher and event chaperone, felt Opera provides an optimal setting for the event. Johnson explained that the multi-level club, whose sound system sent beats pulsing through students’ feet all night, “can accommodate a larger number of people than other places.”

Students in the club’s constantly packed center space marveled at exciting elements such as spontaneous strobe lights and CO2 blasts that cooled off the dancers. The event’s DJs demonstrated knowledge of high school music preferences as they received roars of approval when queuing up tracks such as Desiigner’s “Panda” and Rihanna’s “Work.”  

As the night drew to a close, students already expressed excitement for next year’s prom. Picturing his senior prom, Gasparini gushed, “it’s going to be my third time next year and I can’t wait!”