Seniors Plan Private Prom For Lincoln-Way East Students

FRANKFORT, IL — For seniors in high school, the coronavirus pandemic has canceled or postponed many end-of-year events for soon-to-be graduates. At Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, graduation has been postponed, but the district has canceled prom for junior and seniors.

The decision left the senior class devastated, senior Caellin Flaherty told Patch. Flaherty and four of his classmates — Carolyn Whalen, David Vargas, Sophia Martello and Annie Brtis — have now taken the planning of prom into their own hands.

"Well, when the prom was originally cancelled, we looked to see what other neighboring districts were doing and all of their proms were still planned and postponed for July," Flaherty said.

While the group is planning a July prom of its own, Flaherty said if there are still restrictions in July, then the donations and ticket sales will be refunded.

"We should know by June 1st how everything will look for July, but might as well have something planned than nothing at all," he said.

The group of seniors has planned a private prom to be held in early July. The group created a GoFundMe page, which had raised more than $5,000 for the event as of April 30.

Flaherty said the funds will go toward the cost of the venue, food and a DJ. He added the event does not have a confirmed location yet, but should confirm one in the next few days.

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The group is completely independent from the district, Flaherty said, and the school has not had a part in planning the prom.

"All seniors and juniors are invited to purchase tickets and come to the event," Flaherty said, adding that dates from outside of Lincoln-Way will also be allowed. "We don’t [want to] leave anyone out. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive from not just our classmates but [the] community which is supporting us."

As of April 30, the Lincoln-Way East Private PROM GoFundMe has raised $5,575 of a $20,000 goal. The GoFundMe donations are separate from the ticket funds. Tickets will go on sale May 15, according to the GoFundMe.

Patch has reached out to Lincoln-Way District 210 for comment and did not immediately receive a reply.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.

Read more:

• Lockport Township High School Postpones Prom To July
• Lincoln-Way D210 Postpones Graduation
• Illinois Coronavirus Update April 30: 50,355 Cases; 2,215 Deaths