GUERNSEY – The 2022 Guernsey-Sunrise prom featured décor and the theme, “Northern Lights” as teachers Abby Werner, Mindy Kelly, Brandi McCoid and Laura Green led a team of students who transformed the west gymnasium into a nightscape complete with moonlight on a huge iceberg, vibrant colors in a northern sky and snow-covered pine trees.

Decorating for the event began Friday and by the time the stage was set and hors d’ oeuvres and drinks were ready for the prom-goers it was close to 8 a.m. last Saturday night. 

Pre-prom pictures were held outside for those early prom participants. Twisters in Guernsey was responsible for holding the pre-prom dinner and after a little cruising around the metropolis, couples began arriving at 7:30 p.m.

By 8 p.m. the crowd had shuffled into the darkened bleacher area as Guernsey-Sunrise principal Liesl Sisson began to make announcements and then began introducing students who were in Grand March through the multicolored archway from the northern lights dancefloor to the audience viewing area.

Students came through the archway and each one had a pose ready for the camera as the audience ooohed and ahhhed and whistled and commented as each couple passed through to the waiting chairs set up in the gallery.

After all the couples were seated, the all-important anticipated announcements were made as to who the royalty was going to be for the night. A title that students would carry with them throughout their life.

The Junior Prince and Princess were Alex Sturdivant and Paige Andrews and as they were announced, the crowd cheered and applauded. The big announcement was then given as to who would reign as King and Queen of the Northern Lights.

Students stood to their feet and cheered as it was announced that Dakota Conner was to be king, and his sister Kiyara Conner was selected to be queen. The siblings are twins and were popular choices selected by the Guernsey-Sunrise student body.

After an hour for pictures, the dance began with Guernsey-Sunrise art teacher Laura Green initiating a country line dance that brought every student to the dancefloor. The expert dancers who knew all the right moves mixed alongside novices who jumped around and caused smiles and laughter from those who were witnessing it.

As couples then broke into pairs to the song “Boot Scootin’ Boogy,” the floor was packed with dancers. The dance lasted until midnight where things moved to the east gym where basketball and other activities lasted into the wee hours of the morning.

It was an exhausted group of students and teachers that left the school at 4 a.m. just as Sunday was beginning to dawn on Mother’s Day.

Special thanks go out to the many teachers, administrators, parents and community members who made the Northern Lights of this year’s Guernsey-Sunrise prom a huge success.