Schools seek airy prom venues
Staff writer
Junior/senior proms are back this year in all of Marion County high schools, but they are moving to bigger venues where more air movement will be possible.
Hillsboro’s prom will be April 17 in the commercial building at the county fairgrounds.
Junior class sponsor Patty Funk said they decided to move to a building with more open air. Masks will be required, and no outside dates will be allowed. The meal will be served buffet style.
Marion’s banquet will be April 17 at its usual location, Eastmoor United Methodist Church, but the dance has been moved to the aquatic center, which has a better air filtration system. Only juniors and seniors will attend the banquet “to keep numbers down and provide spacing,” junior class sponsor Lori Kirkpatrick said. Masks will be required at the dance.
Goessel’s prom will be April 24 at Emma Creek Barn, a rural location in which open doors can provide adequate ventilation. Normal school rules will apply, including using hand sanitizer, masks, and social distancing. Outside dates will be allowed. Principal Scott Boden said parents were surveyed and supported the rules.
Centre’s prom will be April 24 at Lincolnville Community Center. Students will be allowed to bring dates who are not students of the school, and masks will be required. Banquet tables will be socially distanced.
Peabody-Burns’ prom will be May 8 at the Elgin Hotel in Marion. Junior class sponsor Heidi Hittle said students would be asked to practice social distancing as much as possible.