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Golden Gala guests glide through grand march
Highland High School students shimmered as they embraced the glamour of a Golden Gala prom
RIVERSIDE — Highland High School’s gymnasium and entry transformed into a glamorous Golden Gala over the weekend as the venue for the 2023 grand march, prom dance, and after prom.
As guests entered the school, a wall covered in sheer white fabric and twinkling lights stood behind a sign welcoming them to the gala.
They made their way to the gym on a path covered in golden stars adorned with student names.
The theme of glamour continued in the gymnasium with golden streamers hung from lights strung across the high rafters, a sparkling chandelier hung in the center of the stage, and a catwalk draped in dreamy fabric.
Much like lords and ladies were once announced to a ball, students made their entrances across the stage, along the catwalk, and down the stairs as the emcee presented them to a crowd filled with their community.
Proving chivalry is not dead, many young men donning tuxedos offered a guiding hand to their dates as they navigated the stairs in floor-length gowns and high heels.
Mason Miller, from WACO, helped his date Highland Senior Jenna Waters navigate the stairs.
While Miller jokingly said the idea to help her down the stairs was his own idea, Waters said she did remind him.
“I was really scared of stepping over the foam mat at the edge of the stage,” Waters said. “So I was grabbing onto him.”
Senior Tyler Thompson’s date Olivia Utzinger also expressed gratitude for her date’s steading arm as she walked for grand march.
“I was so scared …” Utzinger said. “I thought I was going to fall.”
“I was like, please help me, as we were walking down,” she said.
After a nerve-wracking, but dazzling presentation, many high-heeled prom guests stripped off their shoes.
“I’ve had these on since three,” Junior Shuana Sublette said as she held her shoes in her hands. “My feet are tapped out.”
With that, the young men and women posed for a few more photos with family and friends before the community exited the Golden Gala and the fun really began.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
