On Saturday, April 19, prom attendees indulged in a jazzy evening of glitz, glamour and the golden age of the 1920s beneath the 24-karat dome of San Francisco City Hall. The historic landmark was transformed into a time capsule of extravagance in true Gatsby fashion.
From the dancing flappers on the grand marble staircase to the meticulous gold-embellished architecture, the space immersed students in the city’s rich history during the most anticipated night of the year.
The night’s theme — a clever homage to the Roaring Twenties and the graduating Class of 2025 — invited students and staff to dress to the nines. In addition to picturesque photo opportunities and entertainment around every corner, the savory-sweet crêpe bar, faux blackjack table and mix of jazz and pop tunes set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
Senior Mika Temesov commented that the spacious venue allowed students to command the floor and dance the night away.
“Towards the end of the night, it was so much fun to dance with such a vast group of [students]. Since the venue was so big, when people crowded onto the floor, it made the remaining areas feel very empty since there weren’t enough people to fill the room. But compared to last year, the music was very appealing towards all and brought everyone together,” Temesov said.
Sophomore Annabelle Mast shared her experience as a first-time guest and praised the event’s coordination and friendliness of the students.
“Even though I am a sophomore, I never felt indifferent because everyone was inviting. The whole event was organized, and watching my peers get dressed up was a [highlight] for me,” Mast said.
Social studies teacher and event chaperone, Stephen Hart, said his favorite aspect wasn’t the food or the dance floor – it was witnessing the connection between students.
“I’ve been to 11 of the 12 proms since I’ve been here, so it’s my third or fourth one at City Hall. It’s always a good experience and students always find it breathtaking,” said Hart.
Regarding the volume of the venue, Hart complimented leadership students’ efforts to integrate the crowd and guarantee all attendees were included in the excitement.
“Something that I was really happy to see this year was that [the leadership class] tried to address how big the venue was… It was nice to see [leadership] block off one of the rooms this year and try to push people together to have a little bit more community,” said Hart.
For a few magical hours, students left behind the burden of deadlines and decisions to truly live in the moment. Whether striking a pose at the photo booth or sharing a laugh with friends, every attendee left with a memory they’ll carry long after the music and lights faded.
