By: Gillian Knight, Student Reporter
Prom season is in full swing with Riverside’s “Memory Lane” themed festivities taking place this past weekend. For the first time in years, Riverside hosted the Prom Dance outside of the school. Students, staff, and family arrived at Winner Barn Saturday evening to take part in the “Promenade”. This Promenade event was used to both promote the function and make prom an event rather than just a dance. Students could find photo ops and decor outside, and places to socialize before the dance. Leading up to the main entrance, a long red carpet lined the walkway, and families gathered on either side to take photos and videos of the attendees.
Once inside, the guests were greeted by a hallway filled with black and white photographs of past dances, class pictures, and personally submitted photos of the Junior and Senior Class. The rest of the venue included chandeliers, photo ops, and a wide open dance floor. Towards the end of the dance, the 2026 Prom King and Queen were announced, though the results didn’t surprise many. Leah Parrett and Evan Strayer were crowned Prom royalty, followed by a solo slow dance. Starting in 8th grade, 2022, Leah and Evan have been a couple. Since Sophomore year, there had been talk around the school of voting the pair as Prom King and Queen. They were both very excited to be voted for and had a lot to share about their experience.
Evan says, “I was very surprised when we BOTH got our names called, and it felt good that you were Queen. I wouldn’t have wanted to be king if you were not Queen. And Leah YOU have supported me the most throughout high school. You have always been there for me to go to and talk to for the whole 4 years of high school. I was really happy I got king and you got queen!”
Leah says, “When I heard that my name was announced I was in complete shock, but I was so excited that I could share this special moment with Evan especially since we got voted for homecoming court our freshman year! The people that have supported me the most through high school would be Evan’s family, especially Adam and Ashley Parthemore. Thank you guys I love you!”
The dance ended with playing the Senior Class song “Wonderwall” by Oasis. The attending seniors made a circle in the middle of the floor, danced, and sang the song.
The TP Lanes AfterProm activities began at midnight. Students had access to bowling alleys, a mechanical bull, pizza, photo-opps, snowcones and smoothies, sumo wrestling, door prizes, and raffle prizes.
This Prom was so successful due to the hard work of both the Junior Class Officers and the Prom Committee, consisting of various Junior Class parents and staff. Throughout high school, fundraising and donation events have been held with the goal of raising money for the 2026 Prom.
Kara Klingler, a Junior Class Officer, says, “Us four officers, Kara Klingler, Lei Hurley, Makayla Hurley, and Morgan Shockey, came into planning this event with one common goal: to make the night truly special. We wanted to create an experience unlike any other high school dance, a night that felt memorable and elegant. We are incredibly grateful for the guidance and support of Nikki Harshbarger and Gwen Heath, whose help brought our vision to life. The addition of the promenade at Winners Barn at the entrance to prom elevated expectations and transformed the experience into something far more than just another school dance. What a wonderful night it was!”
