Hundreds of juniors partied their troubles away and had the time of their lives at the 2023 Junior Prom, held at the Birchwood Manor in Whippany on May 12, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

In keeping with the “Hollywood: A Night to Remember” theme for this year’s prom, many attendees wore sparkling, brightly colored outfits. 

The venue was a hit with many of the students. “The outside was nice, especially the grassy area, which was a good spot for taking pictures,” junior Colin O’Meara said. “There was also a big line for the gazebo because it was a great place to take pictures as well.” 

The lively evening included plenty of dancing to a wide variety of music, which was expertly played by Emcee Evan and DJ Jamie of Powerhouse Studios. Prom-goers danced to everything from classics to current hits, with some line dancing favorites thrown into the mix.  

“The dance floor was not filled in the beginning,” O’Meara admitted. “But after a little bit of sitting at the tables and talking, we all gathered on the dance floor. After that, the only time that people were not on the dance floor was when we were eating.” 

Prom-goers enjoyed an incredible banquet of cold and hot passed appetizers with a full buffet spread for dinner. Menu items included Swedish meatballs and sautéed pierogi with caramelized onions. There was also a carving station featuring roasted turkey and sausage, peppers and onions. Despite this, most attendees admitted their favorite food at the event was chicken tenders. 

By the end of the evening, there were plenty of prom-goers who, while admittedly tired and sleepy, were still raring to go to their “after prom” locations, such as Long Beach Island and Six Flags Great Adventure.