The Junior/Senior banquet is likely the most anticipated event of the year. This night is planned and executed by the Junior class as a way to honor the Seniors. Although outsiders equate this event with a public school prom, it is far from it; just ask our American dorm students.

There are only two similarities between a prom and Jr./Sr. banquet: the students can attend as a boy-girl couple, and the girls take the opportunity to wear formal gowns. Although this event is for Juniors and Seniors, those students may ask underclassman to come as their guest. It is not uncommon for upperclassmen girls to ask underclassmen boys, even though it goes against traditional etiquette. There are only so many students to choose as a special guest in a school of 37 total students! Traditionally, the sophomore class is asked to be the servers of the meal. Mom’s of junior classman work in the kitchen to prepare the meal. This year, 5 of the 7 Juniors are in the dorm so we had to call in some surrogate moms to help.

The Junior class staff advisor overseas the 11th grade students in planning a fun evening including banquet food, decorations, overall theme, prophesies and an activity. Although the class works on this evening throughout the year, the last week before is crazy busy with set-up. This year the students chose the theme, “Paint the town Red.” Though they didn’t stick with the original meaning, they wanted a 50-60’s themed evening using colors red, white and black. Their back drop of a city sky line was complete with a large oldies automobile.

Here at the dorm, the afternoon of Jr./Sr. banquet was a flurry of excitement as students got themselves ready. I am thankful for the two community moms who came over to assist the girls with their hair and make-up. Mindy and Kim gave the girls a mom’s touch as the girls got fancy for this special evening. I assisted as I was able between runs up and down the stairs to find items, sew on a button, helping adjust clothing, finding dresses that would fit school dress code, and snap a few pictures here and there.

          

When the students arrived at the church, they wound their way downstairs where they waited in line for their picture to be taken. Not only were couples snapped but also by class and small groups. When pictures were complete, the appetizers were set out; a table full of healthy hor d’oeuvres. The students sat at tables of 6-8 chatting about this and that.

Since we have a junior chef in our midst, Subash willingly prepared a Nepalese chicken curry dish to serve as the main meal with rice. After school Friday he and Mrs. Adolf worked for several hours preparing this tasty dish. It was a big hit among the students. After a such a flavorful meal, a hot fudge sundae was the perfect dessert. The sundae was served in a fluted drinking glass which was a take-home gift for each banquet guest.

              

Once the guests had their fill of food, the program began with Etien reading the Senior prophesies. The Junior class writes the prophesies in the flavor of “who will do what” in the future. According to this year’s group, Jacques will become US president and most all the other seniors will end up working with/for him in some capacity. The prophesies were cleverly written and capitalized on the strengths of each student. Followed by the prophesies were the Senior wills. These are the parting gift from the Seniors to each LCHS student and staff member. These were received with many laughs. To wrap up the evening’s program, history teacher Keith Orr gave some tips on starting college and succeeding, “to do and not to do’s.” He also gave a challenge from the Bible.

See, it’s nothing like an American prom! This year the students and staff did drive into town for a round of bowling and made it home by midnight. What a fun memory for the Senior class.