NORMAN — During my interviews for the article on Prom 2.0 that will benefit Bridges, I heard all of the stories of high school proms gone bad. Horrid prom nights are actually what kind of fueled the idea of Prom 2.0 as its being dubbed by organizers as a prom do over.
A common story I heard was getting dumped by a prom date during the actual prom. One tale was that he met someone else that he felt was more suited to his liking while at the punch bowl. But, even though he ditched one date for another, he had the common courtesy to take date No. 1 home early so he could spent the rest of the night with his new flame. And they say chivalry is dead.
I never went to prom. I guess that’s why I’ve been so interested in hearing other people’s stories. I’ve tried to reflect back on why I didn’t go. I can’t come up with anything. I just remember it wasn’t for me. Which is odd since there’s nothing that I love more than getting glitzed up and dancing the night away with 60 to 100 of my closest friends.
I remember I was asked, at least I’ve got that bragging right, to my senior prom. The boy was Shawn Franklin. I was a drama geek so I had a large circle of friends that shared my affinity for the theatrics. I don’t remember all of the details, but I know I declined the offer. The request seemed a little odd since Shawn had just broke up with my best friend. Revenge dates are not my thing, but loyalty is.
Also, Shawn was about 2 feet shorter than me. In the world of theater, that’s perfectly fine, but I didn’t really know how the logistics of our prom relationship would work. Slow dancing was out of the question and I’m almost certain a kiss good-night, had it happened, would have been awkward if not almost impossible.
I still converse with Shawn from time to time. He’s fine with our high school romance being cast aside. He’s moved on. Has a wife and two children now. I think he even bounced back from my rejection and found another more suitable date that year.
And, 20 years later, I still don’t regret not going to prom as some told me I would. My life turned out fine. And, ironically, I married a much taller, less open to dancing boy named Shawn.
Shana Adkisson
366-3544
sadkisson@normantranscript.com
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