Special to the Oracle
by Ms. Zachry
The North Springs prom was held on Friday, April 23 –one year after the previous one planned has been cancelled due to COVID and the 2020 shutdown.
The theme this year was “Take Two”–both an allusion to a movie making second take and a reference to the fact that it was a redo–as in sponsor Kristie Zachry’s words, “Let’s try this prom thing again this year!”
Here is the firsthand heartfelt (and heartwarming) report from Ms. Zachry:
Good evening all,
I am so glad we had prom last night – as the lightning strikes outside!
I wanted to let you all know how wonderful of an evening it was! It was small but it was perfect.
In a year that has been anything but ordinary and with so many things to NOT smile about, last night was a giant breath of fresh air. Our kids were lovely. And most importantly, they were happy. Minus formal attire including bedazzled face masks, it was about as “normal” as anything has been this year!
Prom usually includes at least a small amount of drama- young love drama, best friend drama….but there was none. ALL of our kids were together – either having fun on the dance floor or sitting around tablets eating and chatting. Considering our current world, it was nice to see this bubble where everyone was happy being together. Honestly, it gives a glimpse of hope for a better future because of the kids we teach.
I want to thank everyone for helping make this event happen:
- Mr Hanson with ALL the back and forth with the county to even get permission to host the event and then having to shift plans even after approval!
- Mrs. Shiflet and SGA (Ms. Prichett) for making sure we paid the bills (with only 114 kids buying tickets and a steady ticket price, I didn’t have as much to work with)
- Our chaperones, representing almost every department : Ms. Hobby, Ms. Dinovic, Mr. Brown (+wife), Mr. B, Major Powers, Ms. King, Ms. Shabazz, Mr. Bengston, Ms. Ali, Ms. Pam, Mr. Landreau, Mr. Jones, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Sharian (who dressed up, looks strikingly like Joel Olsteen), Officers Faide and Brant, and Mr. Hanson. They came, they looked snazzy, they did whatever I needed them to do (Including popping tons of balloons and cleaning up the aftermath) and our kids loved seeing them! [really hoping I didn’t leave anyone off this list].
Lastly, I wanted to share the most amazing story that will make you glad you are a teacher at North Springs.
Our Prom King and Queen this year went to Dani Nicholas Turner Templeton. If you don’t know them, they are a power couple who have been together since middle school. They are smart, hardworking, and oh-so-kind. Right after being crowned, Turner look the microphone and addressed his peers. First, the thanked us for working so hard to put together the prom, which they didn’t know they would even get to experience at all in high school. In my seven years of planning prom, no winner has done that!
Then, he and Dani removed their crowns and said that the true king and queen were two of their classmates who are a major part of the North Springs Family: Bryan Vasquez and India Collins. If you don’t know Bryan, he is a kindhearted kid who willingly walks around the lunchroom with the trash can to help clean up. And sweet India is one of our CBI kiddos – you can spot her with her friendly smile and wave whenever transitioning with her class and teachers; she always says hello! To see their sheer joy and excitement, as well as to hear all other kids loudly applauding was about as heartwarming as it gets for at teacher and I thought you all should know!
As I am sure I am not the only one who is ready to close the chapter on this strange school year, I am so grateful to have such happy memories of the end!
As soon as the photographer uploads the pictures, I will post them for you all to enjoy!
Thank you again!
Kristie Zachry, prom sponsor
