Mt. Pleasant Area students rally to save prom amid pandemic

As seniors grapple with the idea of missing out on graduation and other end-of-the-year events as the coronavirus spreads across Western Pennsylvania, a group of Mt. Pleasant Area students decided there was one event they weren’t willing to miss — prom.

In the days following an announcement that the school’s May 1 prom was canceled, seniors Shay Bosas, 18; Gabby Thomas, 18; Jocelyn Jordan, 18; Brandee Malone, 18; Cloey Golkosky, 18; Sydni Overly, 18; Maddie Osborn, 17, and junior Brianna Barnhart, 16, decided to host their own event.

Slated for June 19, the student-run prom, with no affiliation with the school, will be held at The Company Stables in Mt. Pleasant Township. The theme is the Roaring ‘20s.

“For me it was something that would have been with me, not for the rest of my life, but it could have been,” Bosas said. “It’s just one of those things where what’s senior year without your prom? … I have my dress already and I just know the feelings of the other people in our school.”

Parents and local businesses are already rallying together to give seniors the prom they want by donating food and volunteer hours.

“The community and the parents and the support that we have behind us so far is honestly incredible,” Bosas said. “I can speak for all of us girls who are in this doing this we are just so overwhelmed and so thankful to everyone who is helping us and just behind us through this whole thing.”

Students are also selling T-shirts, bracelets and tumblers to help raise money for the event, which holds more importance to seniors now that graduation is in limbo.

A letter sent to parents announcing the cancellation of prom also outlines plans for graduation. A traditional graduation is scheduled for June 26 dependent on stay-at-home orders and social distancing regulations. If that plan does not work out, graduation could be held at a drive-in theater June 5, and a virtual graduation could be held June 26.

“I was kind of more in shock about graduation that I actually missed the part about prom. So I was already a little upset about the graduation details and then once I reread it and saw about prom, I was even more upset,” Bosas said about the letter.

Much like graduation, backup dates for the student prom are planned in case the original date is canceled. If the event falls through, Bosas said monetary and food supplies will be donated to food banks, animal shelters, children’s hospitals or the Centers for Disease Control, depending on the amount raised.

“We want people to know that if they’re going to donate and this does fall through we’re going to make good use of their donations instead of just pocketing it,” Bosas said. “We are going to put everything out there to people who need it.”

Those interested in helping with the event can contact students through the Mount Pleasant Township Prom Facebook page.