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Arizona teens enjoy multistake Mormon prom in East Valley

By Sarah Macdonald

For Mormon Times
Published: 2009-05-23 00:21:13

GILBERT, Ariz. -- A ticket to the prom costs around $50. For a couple, that means $100. Buying a dress, renting a tux, finding shoes, a corsage, a boutonniere, pictures and going to a nice dinner means, all in all, your average high school prom can run upwards of $300.

But many Mormon parents and teens worry about the atmosphere of a dance that costs so much.

The leadership of the Gilbert Greenfield Stake in Gilbert, Ariz., decided three years ago to put on a prom of their own, after youths in their stake expressed a desire to have a wholesome dance, but one that was still fancier than the monthly stake dances. So the idea for the Spring Formal was born, giving those teens who felt the school prom was too uncomfortable or expensive a different place to go.


Teens from the Gilbert Greenfield Stake are Janis Macdonald, left, Dallin Gillette, Morgan Rogers, Aaron Gillette, Lindsay Olsen and Stephen Anderson. Photos: Courtesy of Spring Formal 2009

 
After two years of successful dances, members around the East Phoenix Valley began to notice. In the fall of 2008, leaders in the Chandler Stake approached Gilbert Greenfield to ask if they could join forces for the 2009 Spring Formal. They were warmly received and soon, Chandler East and Queen Creek Chandler Heights stakes from other parts of the East Valley were involved.

The dance took months of preparation, which was shared by youth and adult committees alike, and a theme for the dance was chosen: "A Knight for a Princess."

Then the real work began. Each stake was given a different assignment, whether dealing with service the night of the prom, food or decorations. And a location for the dance needed to be found.

In past years, a church cultural hall had been used. But while it had worked for a single-stake function, with more stakes involved, a cultural hall would quickly become overcrowded. The Barney family of the Chandler East Stake agreed to hold the dance at their indoor sports complex.

The dance was held on one of the competitive-size soccer fields, big enough to hold the 500-plus youths who showed up for the dance on Saturday, May 9.

But as the youths walked in, they would have never guessed they were entering an indoor soccer field. Hours of preparation the weeks before and especially the day of would ensure that.

A carriage and banner-lined walkway led up to a working drawbridge, which opened to let each teen inside. They were then greeted by several full suits of armor and enough foliage to recreate medieval castle grounds. Banners and crests were posted over every wall. Three different scenes were set up as photographers shot couple and group photos all night. Refreshments and beverages were available, served by stake Young Women and Young Men presidencies in full medieval garb, and, of course, music for dancing the night away.

The pictures were free, the food was free and entry was a mere $5 a person. In addition to this low-cost alternative to a traditional prom were the standards of dress, music and behavior. Young women's dresses were high-cut in the front and back and reached the knee. Young men were asked to wear respectful Sunday suits or tuxes, if they chose.

A total of 531 youths attended the Spring Formal, including 23 teens who aren't members of the church. More than 22 stakes had youths in attendance. And the leaders who worked hard to bring this formal to life were more than pleased with the results.


Young Women's Presidency of the Queen Creek Chandler Heights Stake dressed for the occasion They are Denise Clein, president; Mary McClure, first counselor; Monica Heywood, second counselor; and Kristina Golightly, secretary.
 
"This is the third year we have put this formal together and I have seen some wonderful things happen because of it," said Beverly Bentley, Young Women's president of the Gilbert Greenfield Stake. "Each year we have reviewed the decision and have asked our youth council how they feel about doing the formal again and they overwhelmingly ask us to please do it. I have had parents and leaders tell me how much they appreciate the fact that we are providing this opportunity for their youth."

Stake leaders said the dance is not meant to compete with the school prom and the date is carefully chosen to avoid conflict. It's just a fun, uplifting time for the youth to experience. Many teens choose to come in groups, instead of couples. But whether with a date or not, the youth agreed it was a successful night.

"It was a great way to spend the night with friends and have a spectacular time," said Derek Furphy, a priest in the Chandler East Stake.

The decorations, music and overall environment made the night memorable.

"The dance was so fun. There were a lot of kids there and it was decorated beautifully. I felt very comfortable with the way everyone danced and dressed," said Nicole Quaranta, a Laurel in the Chandler Stake.

By the end of the night, Gilbert Greenfield Stake President Robert Hicken said he hoped to have the Barney Sports Complex booked for next year's formal, and youth leaders began tentative plans for 2010 right away.

"Once again the Lord has magnified us to be able to do great things," said Clark Tilley, second counselor in the Gilbert Greenfield Stake presidency. "What a wonderful experience filled with a fun and wholesome atmosphere."


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