Promposality

Prom, the most frequently uttered word in AISG  during  the months of  March all the way to May has officially 7 more days to go down, and even if you are a brand new student at this school you know through the sudden eruption vibrant atmosphere surrounding the event and everything related to it – that it is a big deal. If there were people who were not aware of the extent of importance or enthusiasm the event quickly get with the memo when the first extravagant promposal happens. Now if you are anything like me you would be both in awe of the people and the effort they put in for the people they want to go with , but also in fear of the idea that how deeply rooted the culture of prom is.

According to AISG students, the promposal culture has been evident since they first stepped into high school. It can be argued that over time promposals have become more flamboyant in nature. Not only does it involve two individuals but the entire student body. The amount of time and effort put into some of them is incomprehensible to the student body that are unaccustomed to it.

Due to the importance that is being placed on promposals, students have been separated into two ends of the spectrum: those who are excited about the prospect about promposing, getting promposed to, and watching promposals, and those who feel stressed out or feel that it is too big of a deal.

Irene Lee, a senior, says that she is excited about prom since this her last year. She appreciates the promposals as long as they are not too public, and she remarks that she loves the dancing portion of the night.

Another student, who wishes to remain anonymous, thinks that even though prom is fun, it can be considered a waste of time, since it is right before exams. Dressing up is also a hassle, and it is just a social outing that is greatly exaggerated. Furthermore, according to another student,“ long shot proposals and rejections are most popular in AISG “ making it seem more like an advertising gossip event instead of a social gathering of the student community.

There are a large portion of the student body who find the whole idea of a grand proposal intriguing and feel that it just encourages school spirit. In contrast, if they face rejection, Ms.Barga believes that “ an early experience of rejection especially before the college application process is a healthy experience for young people”. So even if it feels like the end of the world honestly it seems that it will only do you good in the long run.

Overall, after seeing both sides and their point of view, I believe promposals accomplish the IB criteria for students to be “risk takers” and promote school spirit. Nonetheless, of course there are always pros and cons for everything – and people are entitled to their own opinion, so those who are not coming – you are individualists and we will miss you there!