They've found the perfect dresses and tuxedos. The limos are rented, their hotel rooms reserved.Since last month, thousands of high schoolers across the state have begun the countdown to graduation with the dance of a lifetime — senior prom.
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| Philamer Felicitas and her boyfriend, Joseph Batangan arrive at the Sheraton Waikiki for their April 15 senior prom, which Felicitas helped organize as a member of the Waipahu High School student council.
Desserts follow the prom dinner. |
"It's the last hurrah," said Waipahu High School senior Philamer Felicitas, a princess on the prom court at Waipahu's "Timeless Love Story" dance on April 15.
"It was my last prom, and I really had fun," she said. "I made sure I had fun."
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| The two are spiffed up and loving it, after months of planning and prep for this night. |
For Felicitas, the planning began months ago. The dress hunt began in January, the prize "something elegant yet partyish, something I could dance in, nothing too Cinderella-ballish."
She found a dress style she liked at a local department store, then found it in the shade of pink she wanted online at Rampage. "I definitely fell in love with it," she said. "I tried it on, and it fit just right."
Her boyfriend, Joseph Batangan, wore pink, too, under his brown tuxedo.
Clothing is only a part of the planning.
Among teens' other concerns: finding a date, buying a bid (ticket), figuring out where to get hair, makeup and nails done, what jewelry to wear and which flowers work best.
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| Joseph Batangan gives girlfriend Philamer Felicitas the traditional prom corsage as their dance night begins. Felicitas wears a sash signifying she's a princess on the prom court. |
Next to the clothes, some of the priciest decisions include whether to rent a limo, a car, or a hotel room for an after-party.
Felicitas, who estimates prom night cost her about $500 to $600 of her own earnings, drove her new Scion. After the dance, she and her friends went to a hotel for an after-party. "A bunch of us rented two rooms and hung out," she said.
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| Philamer Felicitas and Joseph Batangan get their portrait taken by House of Photography during their prom. |
As a student council member, Felicitas was involved in making sure the night was fun for all her classmates, and she was proud to see the event come together.
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| Desserts follow the prom dinner. |
"It was a really great night, the way that proms are supposed to be."
GOT A MOMENT?
Our monthly Moments of Life feature shines a light on personal transitions and connections. We welcome your reactions or suggestions for topics. Send comments to Island Life editor Elizabeth Kieszkowski, ekieszkowski@honoluluadvertiser.com, or 525-8034.
