Prom is right around the corner for juniors and it seems that everybody is frantically preparing for what will most certainly be a special night. It is now time for the group shots on the beach, a picture with Grandma and a hug with dad who appears teary eyed as he sends his daughter off into the prom world. We must now welcome in the season of mani-pedis and dress shopping.

Junior prom is traditionally held at Port’n Starboard– a beautiful venue in New London overlooking one of southeastern Connecticut’s beaches. This year, the theme is that of the glamorous Great Gatsby, a perfect tie-in to the novel read during the year. Secretary Erin Gralton says she “hope[s] that it’s going to have good music” and that her class “comes out with a lot of great memories.” As a class officer, it is her role to prepare and plan the event, including decorations and a playlist.

Occasionally, underclassmen are asked to the event and get a little taste of what is to come. Junior Julia Austin attended the junior prom last year as a sophomore. She remembers her experience as fun because she was “with a different group of people” leaving her with a “different experience.”

Senior Becca Ahlborn also attended junior prom her sophomore year. Although there may have been a little “been there done that” echoing in her head, Ahlborn still recalls the event as “a nice event and opportunity to bond with the upperclassmen.”

Junior Prom will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday. This year’s court nominees are Anna Lindh, Annabelle Dunbar, Zoe Star, Carter Smith, Dan Contino and Andrew Laconico.

Samantha Barnes, Social Media Editor

Senior Samantha Barnes is the Social Media Editor of the 2015-2016 Colonel. She is the secretary of Student Congress and competitively horseback rides. She will attend Fairfield University to study Business next fall.