ClareEckert

If you are a high schooler, you are most likely familiar with the concept of prom: the pivotal night in every high schooler’s life where all their dreams either come true or are fatally crushed forever. Prom night is a night that goes down in the history of every high schooler’s life, but who is it that makes this night possible? Who is behind all this pomp and circumstance? The answer to that question at Marian is the Prom Planning Committee. 

Marian’s 2025 Prom Planning Committee was headed by theology teacher Ms. Sara Greisch and juniors Alivia Peklo, Avery Peklo, Izumi Huang Fujiwara, Maeve Filipi, MajieAhna Winfrey, Piper Albers, Sienna Maiers, Tatum Brandl, Rosie Flores, Brooklyn Salzbrenner and Alena Kehm. 

Greisch got involved in the Prom Planning Committee three years ago. At the time, business teacher Mr. Craig Panning was the head of the Prom Planning Committee, but was ready to pass on the position to a different teacher. An email was sent out extending the position to all the teachers, and the rest is history. Ever since then, Greisch has been the head of the Prom Planning Committee. 

Her job as head of the Prom Planning Committee includes handling all of the behind the scenes details and organization. “I handle the organizational aspect of the dance, and I let the girls on my committee handle the creativity and brainstorming aspect of the planning,” said Greisch. She is in charge of booking the DJ and the venue, gathering ideas for prom, buying the prom raffle prizes, organizing the decorations at prom, organizing and securing the prom princess/queen gifts and attending the entirety of prom, including setup and takedown. And that list does not even include all of the extra, last-minute details Greisch deals with. Being the head of the Prom Planning Committee is not an easy job.

The Prom Planning Committee started meeting in October of last year. The committee continued meeting once a month in the months leading up to prom, and then increased their meetings to once a week in the month before prom. 

The committee started their brainstorming process by writing themes on the whiteboard in Greisch’s classroom. “I told the girls no idea is too stupid, silly or out of reach,” Greisch said. We then narrowed it down to 2 ideas and took a vote. The prom theme selected by the committee was city of stars inspired by La La Land.

Greisch said her favorite part of organizing prom is getting to see how her efforts pay off. “I love getting to see how much fun everyone has at prom. It makes all of the work this committee does worth it,” Greisch said.  Her least favorite part of planning prom is having to remember all of the tiny, last-minute details that go into planning prom. “When it comes to prom, there is always something left to do,” Greisch said.

Junior Sienna Maiers, a member of the Prom Planning Committee, decided to get involved with the committee after she saw a note about it on Greisch’s board. 

On the committee, Maiers’ job has included helping come up with a theme, organizing the decorations and the raffle, picking the venue and overall making sure prom goes smoothly. Maiers is particularly excited about the theme, the decorations and the princess gifts. 

“My favorite thing about being on the Prom Planning Committee is that it allows me to get involved in my community and allows me the opportunity to organize a fun event for my Marian sisters,” Maiers said. She said the only negative aspect of being involved with the Prom Planning Committee is having to participate in the cleanup of prom. “It is still totally worth it though,” Maiers said. 

 Junior Alena Kehm decided to get involved with the Prom Planning Committee after hearing an announcement about it on the intercom. Another factor in her decision was the fact that her friend was also joining the committee. “My friend and I both like to get involved at Marian, and this seemed like a fun way to do it,” Kehm said.

Kehm’s role on the committee included helping brainstorm ideas, picking the theme, organizing the princess/queen gifts and decorating and cleaning the venue. “The part of prom that I am most excited for is the city of stars theme. I think it’s really cute and will end up turning out really nicely,” Kehm said. 

“My favorite part of being on the Prom Planning Committee is getting to be in on all of the secrets of prom. I also like getting to help plan the event and make it a special experience for everyone,” Kehm said. She said the hardest part is having to stay and clean up after prom is over.