Prom 2021 looks slightly different this year among schools in Summit and Medina County as they have to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. Each school has made its own revised plans in order to host prom in compliance with social distancing and mask requirements.

BARBERTON:

Barberton usually holds their entire prom at The Galaxy. However, this year they had only the meal at The Galaxy. The dance took place at Barberton High School in the commons area.

Additionally, prom was for seniors only this year, as opposed to both juniors and seniors. No outside guests were allowed, so the seniors were only permitted to invite Barberton High School students.

“Ours will probably be about half of what it usually is, though,” said Mindy Cardinal, the prom advisor. “We are probably only going to have 100 to 150 kids there.”

Chippewa:

Chippewa High School had its prom at Occasions Party Centre on Manchester Road this year, per usual. The dinner also took place at this location.

The students were not in pods for prom at this location, but they had to wear masks.
Students were permitted to invite outside guests, and there was no guest limit.

Promenade took place before the dance and it was similar to usual.

“[Promenade will be] exactly the same thing except guests are limited and masks, of course,” said Gigi Gentner, senior at Chippewa High School.

Copley:

Copley is also only allowing seniors at their prom to limit the amount of people there.

The couples have to plan their own dinner rather than having a large group dinner. After-prom is taking place at Tangiers for food afterwards.

“Guidelines have been put in place to keep people apart, safe, and separated,” said Paige Beal, senior at Copley High School.

Outside groups, as far as inviting people from other schools, are limited. Copley High is doing this to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and limit it to the high school students.

Beal explained that the only way they are able to do prom this year is because of the COVID-19 guidelines.
Copley’s prom will take place on May 15, the same day as Wadsworth’s prom.

Smithville:

Smithville attempted to host an enjoyable prom for both juniors and seniors this year using safety precautions.

The school is keeping a low budget for their small school because of everything that has happened this past year.

“We’re using things from previous years for the theme ‘Roaring Twenties’ to save money,” said junior Lillian Morgret from Smithville High School.

They are required to keep their masks on and practice social distancing while at the dance.

“At prom every group will have their own square they can stay and dance in,” said Morgret.
They are using these guidelines in the high school to keep people apart with both seniors and juniors were there.

They did not have Promenade this year, following past years.

“After prom is taking place at Fun and Stuff in Macedonia,” said Morgret.
Fun ‘n’ Stuff is a family fun center located in Macedonia, Ohio.

Students are allowed to take their own way of transportation rather than the bus this year to stay distanced.

Smithville had their prom on Saturday, May 1.

Wadsworth:

• 8-10 PM on May 15
•Takes place at Art Wright Stadium
•Masks required and groups separated into pods
•No group dinner
•Dinner with group at restaurant of choice
•Post-prom at Blue Sky, movie starting at 11 PM
•Outside guests allowed