Prairie View prom a night to remember

Rylan McCrea and Cecilia Brockway stroll arm-in-arm down the red carpet at Prairie View's prom on Saturday evening April 11. More than 150 people turned out to watch the walk-in.

Story and photos by Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com

Breezy, but gentle; not cold but not hot. Unlike the last couple of years, the weather for Prairie View's prom was pleasant instead of cold and blustery. And there was just enough of a breeze to give hairdos that photo-shoot-model look instead of the wind-tangled coifs of last year's promere.

Ashlyn Kennedy, Kaylee Ring and Rebecca Miller walk the red carpet. While there were plenty of traditional couples walking the red carpet, groups of friends enjoyed making the grand entrance together.

The weather allowed for groups to arrive in a variety of conveyances. The family sedan, a side-by-side, a race car, a newer Corvette, an older 'Vette, a vintage Chevelle Super Sport, a cherry Olds 442, and several lovingly restored or maintained vintage pickups. The ride that drew the most attention: an "upside-down" Ford F-150 driven by Joseph Sramek who arrived with his date, Grace Cullor.

Keeping the shiny side up is difficult with this upside down Ford pickup driven by Joseph Sramek, who said his uncle built the car.

This modified pickup had functional doors with running boards on top.

Walking down the red carpet held with rocks to keep it from blowing away, each time students' names were announced, the crowd applauded warmly. Instead of heading into the school and walking downstairs to the party, most of the students joined the crowd to see who would come in next.

Paige Utech, left and Danica Brake, center, share a monstrous laugh with a classmate as they wait for the next car to arrive.

In addition being the focus of hundreds of photos snapped by cellphones, the end of the red carpet meant photos by the pros and yearbook staff. Here Coltaun Bartlett and Liliana Michalski get more of the paparazzi treatment.

Kaylee Rhynerson and Elijah Williams walk down the red carpet as the setting sun casts a warm glow on the crowd.

Inside the high school's small gym, lights on balloons hovered atop the tables as the deejay's lights kept time with the music and in the corner couples and groups of friends posed for formal photos.

The lighting is subdued but festive in the small gym and students visit and and dance.

More PVHS prom