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Lake Roosevelt High School intends to hold a high school prom this month to give its students a sense of normalcy. 

“We believe as a district that students need a sense of normal and that traditional events should continue during this pandemic,” Superintendent Paul Turner said in a statement to The Star. “We understand that this event will look different from years past but are adapting to the current guidelines.”

“Other schools in our area have opted to let parents host prom,” the statement continues. “If we host Prom as a district, we have more control over mask mandates, limiting numbers and following current protocols.” 

“We have spent this school year adjusting and working with our community to get students back to in-person learning, to bring back social normalcy such as sports,” the statement continues. “This is just another event we want to hold to help our students understand that there is light at the end of this tunnel. We all could use a reason in these times to get dressed up and enjoy a night with friends.” 

The prom is scheduled for May 15 from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

“We are still in the planning stages about the exact location,” Turner said. “We will use either the high school gym, the outside area behind the HUB or the tennis courts. We will require all attendees to wear masks during this event; screening will occur before entrance is permitted; social distancing will be enforced, and a roster will be compiled in case contact tracing is needed.” 

Turner told The Star that as of late March, 86 out of 133 employees at the school had been vaccinated, and more have likely gotten their shots since then.