Local Students in the Spotlight on Prom Night

By Misty Cryer

As the end of the school year approaches, high school students look forward to creating memorable moments. Prom night at Carlsbad High School is always a special time, with attention given to all the details to make for a spectacular evening in an elegant setting. This year was no different, as prom was celebrated in the main building on Saturday, April 26.

Charlin Hernandez and Danelle Middleton, CHS Student Council Advisors, shared the event details as students were decorating for prom on Friday. Hernandez said kids of the Student Council help with prom from the beginning to the end.

The theme for this year’s prom is “A Hollywood Night in the Spotlight,” said Hernandez.

Weeks prior to the prom, Hernandez said, the students nominated candidates for King and Queen. “We have five girls and five boys on the prom court,” she said, adding that voting for King and Queen closed Friday morning.

As always, the crowning of the Prom King and Queen was the highlight of the evening. According to the results shared by Middleton, Jacob Chavarria was named Prom King with Kaitlyn Robertson as Prom Queen. Runners-up in the King’s Court included Moses Mendoza, Jonas Molinar, Nick Sandate, and Alejandro Sotelo. Kinley Martinez, Maci Garcia, Taylor Onsurez, and Marienne Parsons made up the Queen’s Court.

Music is always a big part of prom. “We have a DJ of our very own, Trey Gonsalez,” said Hernandez.

Trey Gonsalez of All Sports Best is also a teacher at CHS. “I teach Digital Video,” said Gonsalez, adding that he also provides broadcasting and play-by-play for the high school games.

In his role as DJ for prom, Gonsalez said he does his best to mix it up and make sure that everybody that attends has a good time. “Something they can enjoy with their friends and make memories,” he said.

“I did send out a form to the seniors that they could fill out—like a song request,” said Gonsalez. He said advance notice enables him to sift through the requests to find clean versions of the songs to play.

“We always have hospitality for the students, like finger snacks and drinks,” said Hernandez. “This year, we added a hospitality bar for teachers working it,” she said, adding that the food is prepared by the cafeteria.

During prom, staff members serve as chaperones, Hernandez said. “It’s part of our contracts to actually work a two-hour span of prom, so we have high school staff, staff from the Early College (High School), and the staff from CEC (Carlsbad Enrichment Center) that also come help us.”

For decorations, Hernandez said, “We order fabric. We built props. We order props, but we have things we use generation after generation after generation.”

Hernandez said the yearbook staff has students who do some photography at the prom. Middleton added that a time is set aside for parents to take photos prior to prom from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Hernandez and Middleton both said they enjoy seeing the students in “best dressed” attire on prom night.

“We’re in the generation where wearing sweats is normal. To get those kids out of that lazy, everyday attire and to see them dolled up—it’s so pretty. Everyone looks great,” said Hernandez.

Middleton said her favorite part of prom is that it is something the kids look forward to, “seeing their school and how it transforms.”

Hernandez said, “The main is dated, but when we doll it up, we doll it up.”