Roughly two months ago the Associated Student Body-run OPHS and OPHS class of 2021 Instagrams announced that prom would in fact be held this year. The event was held at the North Point Pavilion at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. In accordance with public health guidelines, students attending the event were required to either take a COVID-19 test, also hosted by the school, or submit a copy of their vaccination card to the designated email. Masks were also to be enforced at the venue.

While there were many precautions in place that students needed to adhere to, the general consensus was that being able to partake in prom was the highlight of their senior year. After almost an entire year of distance learning, this event provided seniors with the opportunity to enjoy their final weeks as high school students. Likewise, it was the first large in-person senior event that they could participate in.

Many seniors, like Chloe Tolchinsky, were extremely excited to hear that prom would be happening. The uncertainty that came with the 2020-2021 school year and senior events made the prom announcement a huge surprise for many people. 

“I was really excited, yet it felt surreal that it was going to happen especially since at the beginning of the school year I thought there was zero chance for a prom … my initial reaction was texting all my friends and telling my parents that prom was happening,” Tolchinsky said. 

Upon the initial prom announcement, Principal Kevin Buchanan wrote an in-depth StudentSquare post that described the various senior events that the administration was working on hosting.  

“We acknowledge how difficult the past year has been on our students, and how frustrating it is not to have experienced a traditional senior year …We understand students would like a traditional Prom, and we are working with the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) and Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) to determine what might be possible to provide the memorable experience our students desire …We are now seriously looking at some very promising local venues that could accommodate the entire graduating class for an elegant and memorable year-end celebration for the students,” Buchanan wrote in the post. 

Overall, the event was a success with a large number of OPHS, OPIS and Oak View students in attendance. The night began with salad, the main dinner and dessert was provided towards 9 p.m.. The venue had an indoor room that consisted of a dance floor and the DJ. That room led outside to where the majority, if not all, dining tables were. Outside on the lawn was the photo booth and a silent disco event. 

A memorable way to end the school year, a majority of the seniors from all three schools and outside guests seemed to have a fun and exciting night. 

“It was a really fun night. I enjoyed all the dancing and the dessert was really good,” senior Preksha Rao said. 

Tolchinsky echoed this statement and added a special thanks to the administration and those involved with planning the event for creating something special for the seniors. 

“I am just super content that prom is happening after initially thinking every senior activity was off in the beginning of the school year. I want to thank anyone who helped plan prom as this would’ve never happened without them. So, thank you!” Tolchinsky said.

Gallery • 6 Photos

OPIS, Oak View, and OPHS students all celebrate prom night together. This year prom was held at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. The images depict different times and places of the ranch in which various activities were being held, for example, dancing and silent disco. (Photo courtesy of Daisy Calderon/Talon)