Stephanie L./Staff

The theme was no accident. “We all read The Great Gatsby as required reading sophomore year,” said junior Student Council member Jiaqi Li, “And after seeing the venue with fountains and on the second floor, we realized it fit super well.” The waterfront setting gave students a picturesque backdrop for photos, with the scenic views of Creekside providing a dramatic contrast to the roaring twenties atmosphere inside.

Planning prom came with its share of obstacles. What proved to be one of the biggest challenges was the budget. According to Jiaqi, Student Council had originally planned to custom-order sweaters, but found it too expensive. To cut costs elsewhere, invitations were handed out in advisory rather than mailed home.

Despite the constraints, Jiaqi viewed the night as a triumph. “I thought prom was a huge success and we had such a fun time planning it,” she said. “It was nice being able to provide a fun event for our friends to look forward to in the midst of studying.”

The night was filled with surprises from the start. Early arrivals were rewarded with limited edition swag, while students who made it through the doors between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. were automatically entered into a Grand Raffle. Two lucky winners walked away with their choice of prizes, ranging from a week-long reserved parking spot to a “Skip the Line” lunch pass. Inside, students gathered at the mocktail bar, posed at the photo booth, and filled the dance floor as the DJ spun tracks all night long.

As for what comes next, Jiaqi is already looking ahead. “We can’t wait to see what the class of ’28 puts together next year!”

Prom 2025 was more than just a dance—it was a celebration of the Academy community, dressed to the nines and ready to make memories. From the emerald lights to the last song of the night, it was, in every sense of the word, the bee’s knees.