A Warrenton dress seller is reviving plans for high school proms that were canceled due to COVID-19.
Denise Davis, owner of Wedding Wishlist, has organized prom events for Warrenton and Wright …
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A Warrenton dress seller is reviving plans for high school proms that were canceled due to COVID-19.
Denise Davis, owner of Wedding Wishlist, has organized prom events for Warrenton and Wright City high school students, saying she doesn’t want seniors to miss an important high school tradition.
“I sold quite a few prom dresses before the coronavirus hit, and I know all my girls were devastated when they heard prom was canceled,” Davis said. “Your senior prom is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. ... Of course, juniors can attend too. But everyone should have the opportunity to go.”
These prom events are not affiliated with local school districts, and are being organized entirely by Wedding Wishlist.
The proms, including dinner and dance, are scheduled for July 31 and Aug. 1 at Valley Farms in Foristell. The venue is located at 1125 Dietrich Road.
The prom for Wright City High School students is Friday, July 31 starting at 7 p.m. Warrenton High School’s prom is Saturday, Aug. 1 at the same time.
Davis said she had originally planned a prom for Montgomery High School students the following week, but that too many students are moving to college that weekend. Instead, Montgomery students are being invited to attend either of the events for Warrenton and Wright City students.
What the events need most right now is for students to buy tickets in advance to attend. Davis is paying for the venue, food and entertainment entirely at her own cost, and is hoping ticket sales will be enough to reimburse that expense.
Tickets can be purchased for $40 in-person at Wedding Wishlist in the Shoppes at Warrenton mall, or online by going to www.yourweddingwishlist.com and clicking on “upcoming events.”
“I would be happy with at least 50 for both (schools). That’s essentially going to cover the cost of having it,” Davis said. Those interested should buy tickets soon so there’s a better idea of what to plan for, she added.
A huge help to make the prom happen was an offer from Downtown Pub and Grill in Warrenton to cater the event at a significant discount.
“Downtown Pub and Grill is honored to participate in prom for our young adults in the community. I feel that this is a very important step through life that these kids look forward to all through school,” said owner Laura Werner. “With the virus going on, these kids missed two months of their senior year. That makes me sad for them. Wedding Wishlist had a great idea and we are proud to help give these young adults a prom.”
Davis said there has been a little community pushback to the idea of hosting prom in the year of COVID-19, but many grateful parents have also expressed thanks for planning the event. Parent volunteers will be the chaperones for the evening, she added.
Valley Farms, the prom venue, is an indoor and outdoor venue at a scenic barn in Foristell. Davis said she thinks students will enjoy the rustic charm of the venue combined with the normal activities of a prom. A prom king and queen will even be chosen, although Davis said this will be conducted by lottery, rather than voting.
“This is definitely not going to be a ‘normal’ high school prom,” she commented.
