From meticulously planning promposals to scheduling nail appointments, juniors and seniors counted down the days to Prom.

Before the festivities began on Saturday, juniors and seniors attended separate pre-Prom picture parties hosted by the Parent Association. Seniors took photos at Millennium Park, while juniors gathered at the Field Museum, just a short distance from the Prom venue at the Shedd Aquarium.

“It was so fun to get all dressed up with everyone and take pictures, but after a while, I was really excited to go to the Shedd and spend time with my friends,” junior Marin Ralson said.

After hours of picture-taking, teary-eyed parents left the venue, and students made their way to the Shedd Aquarium. The excitement was palpable as students strolled through the aquarium, surrounded by beautiful fish and walking alongside penguins. But after a bit, students began getting antsy.

“When we first walked into the Shedd, I was very impressed, but after roaming around in the subterranean area for 10 minutes, I had my doubts. I thought we were going to spend all of Prom there and wouldn’t have a place to dance or good food to eat,” junior HJ Walberg said.

Thankfully, his worries were put to rest when the doors to the upper area unlocked and the dance could start. After a long afternoon, students were able to relax and eat from the buffet filled with many food options. Some students, however, began dancing immediately, taking off their heels to avoid the unbearable foot pain. This year, students didn’t shy away from the dance floor; instead, they embraced the fun together.

“The sea life, food, and DJ were all amazing. My favorite food there was the steak taco, and my favorite song the DJ played was Fe!n,” HJ said. “Overall, I think the Shedd was an amazing venue, and the combo of unique animals paired with an amazing ambience made for an unforgettable Prom experience.”