Community Comes Together for 2020 Prom

by Chris Tramel

Prom is supposed to be a time to make memories. It's the last hoorah for class seniors before college, careers, and life steps in and takes their lives in different directions. But, for the DCHS senior class of 2020, prom, and even graduation, have been in question ever since the Covid-19 pandemic put a halt to the school year and all school related activities.

This year's prom faced many obstacles, but thanks to local businesses, the community, and DeKalb County High School, the class of 2020 finally got the prom they wanted and deserved.

It was a different event than most students were used to. For one, each student had to have their temperature taken before being allowed to enter the event. Another, and most obvious, was the location. Due to business closures across the country, the school lost their reservation for their normal venue in Lebanon. But, after several attempts to reschedule the prom fell through, a local business, Twisted Oaks, stepped up and came to the rescue.

The venue was decorated inside and out, with the main area being outdoors. Fire pits were lit, there were large Jenga and corn hole games, but the most activity was seen on the rented outdoor dance floor. The music blasted as the seniors danced the night away.

Debi Sheets, owner of Twisted Oaks, said the event was a community effort. While her and her husband offered to shut down their bar and restaurant on a Friday evening to host the prom, their busiest night, other businesses and residents stepped up offering donations.

"We had a lot of people donate," Sheets told the Smithville Review. "We had some businesses donate some food. We had Domino's, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Food Lion. Wal-Mart donated a gift card, and then our food vendor, Performance Food, donated food for tonight."

She continued, "We also had a lot of donations from places like Button Willow, and the new bakery inside there, and a lady from Five Dollar Liquidations came in and donated some stuff. There were people from all over the county, and some from outside the county, reach out to us and drop off donations. A couple of the Mexican restaurants gave gift cards, and the Bed and breakfast over on Bright Hill came by and gave a check. Smithville Wine and Spirits, Thrive, and even a hairstylist came in and donated a $100 gift certificate."

According to Sheets, Hurricane Marina donated the sound equipment for the evening, while Tom Duggin was the DJ for the night. Todd Van Dyne also worked karaoke during the event. "Then there were just people that donated," Sheets said. "Some of our customers gave to the prom. I'm just amazed by the community. I really believe that even if you don't have a child in school right now, it's almost as if you do. There were so many folks that just didn't want this group of kids to miss out, and that is the feeling I'm getting out of all of this. This was something tangible that people could actually do. It's almost become everyone's prom."

In a year with so many ups and downs, Sheets said that she feels this prom gave the seniors some much needed good memories. "Some of these kids haven't seen each other since March, so this is there first time getting back together. You know, graduation is for families. At prom, they get to say goodbye. They get to say 'hello,' and they get to say, 'goodbye,' because in a sense this is the last time without their parents that they will be together on their own."

Director of Schools Patrick Cripps was also on hand at the event and praised the community and businesses for coming together. "It's been a crazy year and our seniors, and all of our students, have missed out on a lot. One thing that me and Principal Jennings talked about the whole time was that we wanted to be able to finish up the year the right way, with graduation as traditional as we could get it, and to try to get prom in as well. We tried to reschedule the place we normally have it at a couple of times and the dates just kept running out on us due to the shut down and things of that nature."

Cripps continued, "At that point we really didn't know what we were going to do. Then, the folks here at Twisted Oaks volunteered their facility to support our kids, and we're so appreciative of them. Not only them, but the community and businesses that have kicked in. That's what's great about DeKalb County. When times are down we support each other. I love the fact that they love our kids and want to send our seniors out the right way. It tells our younger folks that DeKalb County is a pretty special place."

DeKalb County High School Principal Randy Jennings also had praise for the venue. "It's a little different than years past, but under the circumstances I think it has worked out great. We were real fortunate to have the people at Twisted Oaks do this. They actually approached us about doing something for the kids. It made it easier for us, because our original venue we couldn't get, and they've been so generous and helped make it happen."

"You know, when everything sort of fell apart, and we realized we weren't going back to school, the couple of things we kept saying we were going to try to do was have a prom, and have a real graduation."

As the evening wore on the seniors themselves bragged about the outdoor prom. The group danced and sang, until the special moment when the prom king and queen were ready to be announced.

Nominees for prom king were announced first with Canaan Bain, Dallas Cook, Raiden Martin, and Alan Munoz all called to the stage as nominees. It was Alan Munoz who was king for the evening, and he waited to see who the queen would be.

For prom queen, Caitlin Bennett, Anna Chew, Holly Evans, Hannah McBride, Mya Ruch, and Megan Walker were nominated. When the announcement came it was Holly Evans that would don the crown. The two danced the traditional King and Queen dance as the class of 2020 looked on.

"It feels so good," Evans told the Review. "I did not expect that at all, and to be here with Alan also. He is one of my best friends."

"I'm surprised honestly," Munoz said. "I thought Raiden Martin was going to sweep in and take it because the crowd loves him. I'm so glad I was elected and like Holly was saying, she's a wonderful friend of mine and I'm honored to be elected prom king with her."

When asked what they thought of this year's prom location, Evans had high praise. "I love the outdoor part of it. The outdoor venue. We've never had that before. I've been to all four proms, three at the Capitol Theatre and it was always indoors, but I love it being outdoors."

Munoz also commended all the work gone into this year's event. "This is my first year going to prom and I love it. I love the venue and thank you to Twisted Oaks, and anyone else that helped put this together. I really want to thank DeKalb County High School for having this prom and not canceling it. It's been a blast and I love it."