Description

In the United States, and increasingly intheUnited Kingdom and Canada, a promenade dance, most commonlycalleda prom, is a semi-formal (black tie) dance or gathering ofhighschool students. This event is typically held near the end ofthesenior year (the last year of high school). Proms figure greatlyinpopular culture and are major events among high schoolstudents.High school juniors attending the prom may call it "juniorprom"while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom". Inpractice,this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.

At a prom, a Prom King and Prom Queen may be revealed. Thesearehonorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-widevoteprior to the prom, and seniors are usually awardedthesetitles.Other students may be honored with inclusion in a"PromCourt." The selection method for a Prom Court is similar tothat ofHomecoming Queen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in aPromCourt may be a reflection of popularity of those studentselectedand their level of participation in school activities, suchasclubs or sports. The Prom Queen and Prom King may be givencrownsto wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes towear andphotographed together.

Similar events take place in many other parts of the world.InAustralia and New Zealand, the terms school formal, and ballaremost commonly used for occasions equivalent to the Americanprom,and the event is usually held for students in senioryears,although the bestowing of the regal titles rarely, if ever,occurs.Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishingstudentsat the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal.InIreland a debutante ball or Debs may also be held. In Polandhighschools organize a "studniówka". The term "prom" is becomingmorecommon in the UK and Canada due to the influence of Americanfilmsand television shows.