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Mock Prom: Reliving the fun - Proms |
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Written by Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 15 February 2007 |
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You’ve heard the expression — high school is the best time of your life. And likewise, prom is supposed to be one of the best nights of your life, right?
Not necessarily.
For many, prom memories are less than perfect and include some variation of arguing, crying in the bathroom and/or puking in the limo.
If only there was a way to go back and redo it all, now that you are  older and wiser — or at least just older. Maybe that’s why a group of eight spirited northern Colorado woman are throwing an adult mock prom.
“When we look back at prom and high school in general, we have to laugh,” Christine Kovacs said. “It was such a stressful, cliquey time. There is so much build up. It’s supposed to be this big magical night, but ends up being just a dance. Being able to laugh and get to do it right the second time around is appealing to people.”
After talking about the idea of an adult prom for a year, Kovacs, 29, of Loveland decided to go for it. She started by rounding up a group of friends to serve on the prom committee.
The theme “Now, Then and Forever” will blend old-school style with a new look. The dance, which is open to the public, is Feb. 24 at the Radisson Graystone Castle, 83 E. 120th Ave., in Thornton. Tickets include entertainment, food, two drinks, a goody bag, a chance to win prizes, a professional photo, and discounted hotel rates — all available for $50 online at www.adultprom.net.
 Kovacs said the group is not looking to make a profit from the event, they just need enough people to pay for it. After catering, decorations, the DJ and the little extras, the event will cost the group about $10,000.
Kovacs has planned several similar events on a smaller scale, from bachelorette parties to baby showers. In fact, she planned her first school dance in the seventh grade. She went to a private school that did not allow dances. She approached her teacher with the argument that girls want to dance. The board approved the proposal.
Then Kovacs planned the whole thing and called it the Spring Fling.
Now, 16 years later she is doing it again.
“I know I can throw a good event,” she said. “I’m making sure all the elements are there, booze, good music, good food and lots of surprises.”
As much as she loves getting dressed up and dancing, she actually had a prom from hell in high school. She went to a private school in Macomb, Mich.
“My date was a complete jerk,” she said. “He ruined the whole night.”
Long story short, they went to an after-party at someone’s house where there was alcohol. They got in a fight and he managed to pull down a bookcase, which broke another guy’s leg. He was kicked out of the party.
“I was so embarrassed by the time he was gone,” Kovacs said.
After such a terrible experience, it’s a little surprising she is ready to do prom again.
“It’s not about me reliving my prom,” Kovacs said. “It’s about people doing something different and fun. When you are between 25-35, you are no longer going to clubs or wearing miniskirts, but you still want to have fun. We want to live like we are young, but don’t want to play with 18-year-olds. We want to play with people our own age.”
John Buoniconti, 31, of Severance said he thinks the event will be pretty comical. He will be sporting a stylish black mullet for the mock prom. Though he didn’t sport the ’do in high school, he definitely did at one point in his youth.
“It will be crazier now that we are adults and don’t have to hide the liquor bottles in our jacket pockets,” he said. “Besides, how often do you get to wear a turquoise cummerbund and a mullet?”
Buoniconti’s wife Heather, 33, was in charge of decorations. You can expect to see all the familiar cheesy prom decorations — like silver stars and plenty of balloons.
Heidi Kerr-Schlaefer, 30, of Loveland said as a member of prom committee, her duty was the goodie bags.
“They are going to be hysterical,” she said. “Everyone will have their very own condom for the night.”
Kerr-Schlaefer was the senior class president at her small high school in the Pacific Northwest. She didn’t get to go to her prom — the student body boycotted after the administration combined the proms of three rival schools. In the end, fewer than 10 people out of about 200 attended from her school.
“At the time it wasn’t a big deal to me,” she said.
Now, though, she can’t wait to hit the dance floor in her snazzy dress.
“I do love to dance,” she said. “I’m really good. Not like Elaine from ‘Seinfeld,’ I really am good.”
Her husband Ryan Schlaefer was a little hesitant of the whole adult prom idea at first.
“I think a lot of guys are glad it’s a mock prom,” he said. “I don’t think they would be as interested if it was all serious. It’s a mock prom, that’s the key. No one is labeling you. You don’t have to relive it. You can make fun of it.”
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