Franklin’s Associated Student Body (ASB) has big hopes to connect with and celebrate our community and the class of 2024 before the school year comes to an end. Looking forward into the second semester, there is a plethora of events on the horizon for the student body, in particular the senior class: most notably, Prom!
Every year ASB is responsible for the planning, fundraising, and execution of school dances, with Prom being the final and most popular ASB event of the year. This year, Prom will be held on May 25, less than a week before seniors’ final day of school on May 31. For Prom 2024, the projected theme is “captured in time,” involving polaroid collage walls and pastel colors to give a nostalgic and youthful aura to the venue.
Speaking of the venue, The Redd is a rustic but modern barn-style building with high ceilings and a large open floor plan. Its construction and architecture was a $25 million project, and the venue is located on Salmon Street in southeast Portland, roughly 2.5 miles away from Franklin’s campus. With dusty rose-colored balloons, warm lanterns, candles, and a sprinkling of fairy lights, the room will be lively and glowing.
Charlotte Storrs, Franklin’s senior class president and Prom Committee lead, is still in the planning and logistics process, but is elated to have the idea come together for a memorable night in May.
“[ASB] would like the theme to be very vintage and nostalgic, like following the senior class throughout the years,” explained Storrs, who aims to have elements and trinkets within the venue to serve as reminders of where this year’s senior class comes from, honoring our collective history and achievements.
As for appropriate attire, of course wear whatever is comfortable and feels good to you, but if you are looking for a get-up to play on the captured in time theme, there are many beautiful ways to play around with it. For those who may want to match the venue color scheme, pastels or softer tones are a must. In terms of cuts for dresses or styles for suits, “Casual elegance is what we’re going for,” said Storrs. Floor length, sweeping gowns, or flowy and silky clothing is a fitting example, but remember that it is totally up to you!
In past years there have been clothing drives to make fancy clothing accessible to the community without worries about financial woes, and this year will be much the same. Pre-pandemic, ASB would partner with organizations like Abby’s Closet and Mr. Formal to collect dress and suit donations for Franklin students. In recent years, the idea was taken up by Franklin’s SUN Program, which held a dress, jewelry, and shoe drive for students before Prom. If, for any reason, students find themselves unable to afford or access something nice to wear to the final school dance, these resources will be free and available to all seniors later in the spring.
While Prom is technically a seniors only event, some underclassmen are able to volunteer during the setup and break down process at the beginning and end of the evening, and anyone officially invited by a senior and with a ticket can join in the festivities. Outside of Prom, there are several other senior activities that may be associated with ASB, but are not official ASB events due to the absence of Franklin staff at said events. Old traditions like senior sunrise/sunset, along with the hopeful new presence of ‘Beach Weekend,’ inspired by Grant High School’s yearly tradition, are untethered to the ASB organization, but may be advertised by ASB leaders or members. These traditions may be organized more intimately among friend groups or peers, but all of them are intended to be open to every student in the class of 2024.
ASB Activities Director Megan Humphreys is excited for the variety of events in store for students in the remainder of the year. There is more to look forward to than just Prom, with upcoming events for everyone, both under and upperclassmen, including the Franklin Flea Market and the beloved ASB Olympics which begins in April.
The Flea Market is a fresh idea brought by sophomore Eli Robillard and inspired by the market that Ida B. Wells High School started last year. At the market, tables and booths are set up to lay out clothing and other items for students to look through and purchase. Students can also donate any of their old clothing or even jewelry! Franklin’s market will take place on March 9.
“[The Flea Market] is also a fundraiser for different programs within Franklin,” said Humphreys. “We have reached out to the athletic department and clubs, but later it will be open to the public to see who is interested in participating.”
As always, there is the ASB Olympics, which involves a series of games open to all spectators. The kickoff event, scheduled for April 11, is the famous senior vs. staff basketball game. Following events include the junior vs. senior girls football game, a boys volleyball game, and more! Eligible students are highly encouraged to participate, though there are $3 to $5 fees for joining, in order to cover the cost of team t-shirts and decorations.
The last days of our 2023-24 school year will sneak up on us before we know it. To end the year strong, consider participating in these collaborative upcoming school events to increase involvement and ultimately, boost our community and connections before summer, graduation, and the rest of our lives.
