High school students in America have been going to prom that’s short for the old-fashioned term “promenade” for generations.

Check out any movie geared toward teen-agers, and there’s a good chance the plot features a prom as a major turning point for the characters. (See “American Pie,” for example.)

Free State High School junior Jonathan Potter and his prom date Blanca Batten, a senior at FSHS, share a laugh during the 2002 Free State High School Senior Prom. FSHS seniors and their dates gathered Saturday at Liberty Hall for dancing and food, and to share one last special night with their classmates.

Most high school students likely grew up hearing stories about prom from older brothers and sisters, or even from their parents.

But today, trends come and go, and what was fashionable yesterday is a dud today. In such an environment, can a tradition like prom endure?

Seniors from the city’s two high schools respond with an enthusiastic “yes” prom is as relevant to teen-agers as ever.

Both schools have senior proms each year. Free State High School’s prom the theme was “Dancing in the Moonlight” was Saturday at Liberty Hall, 644 Mass.

Lawrence High School’s prom, dubbed “Wish Upon a Star,” will be Saturday in the KU Ballroom at the Kansas Union.

Shira Flescher, LHS student body president, captured the way most of her peers think about prom.

“It’s a big memory of high school. It’s like one of the main events you can’t miss,” said Shira, 18. “All of my friends are going. Even if I didn’t have a date, I’d still go.”

Ann Liu, 17, a Free State student, viewed it much the same way.

	Lawrence High School’s prom will be Saturday night in the KU Ballroom at the Kansas Union.

“It’s a big deal still. A lot of girls I know like prom,” she said. “You go out and get new dresses, get your hair done, makeup and riding in the limo that’s one of the highlights.”

Free State student Kelly Jones, 18, was among a group of eight, including Ann, who planned to attend that school’s prom together.

“It’s important to me because it’s something I get to do with my friends,” Kelly said. “We probably won’t see each other as much next year (after graduation). As girls, you dream about being prom queen it’s something you always imagine growing up.”

No

But what about guys? Don’t they look forward to prom or is that just a girly-girl thing?

Gary Johnson, 18, an LHS student, said that’s not the case.

“It’s a big deal for me and a bunch of my friends,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I don’t know anybody who’s not going who’s a senior. Everybody’s pretty excited.”

Brandon Jackson, 18, was among a group of 16 Free State students who went to dinner at the Hereford House in Kansas City, Mo., then returned to Lawrence for prom.

Each couple expected to pony up $100 to help pay for the transportation: a stretch-Hummer limousine rented for the evening.

He had a new $180 suit for the event, paid $20 for two prom tickets and expected to spend $70 to $100 on dinner.

A couple embraces on their way down the stairs during the 2002 Free State High School Senior Prom.

Is it all worth it, for just one evening on the town?

“I think it’s a big deal, because it’s the last night you get to be with your friends, be with your girl, dance and no stress,” Brandon said.

Expenses pile up pretty fast for girls, too.

“My dress is going to be around $175. That’s cheap compared to what some people are spending,” said Leslie Suitt, 18, an LHS student. “I’ll spend probably about $300 (on) my hair and accessories and all that stuff nails, makeup.”

It’s clear: Prom still rules.

“It’s like one of the last things you get to do before you leave (high) school and be pretty at the same time,” Ann Liu said.