The junior and senior classes of San Marino High School celebrated their prom night on May 31 with the theme “Midnight at the Mary” at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach. To get to Long Beach, some students chose to take the school’s Coach bus, drive there with their group of friends, or even hire a private limousine. But it was obvious that the evening would be fantastic as soon as the guests arrived. Compared to other locations, the Queen Mary’s ballrooms, old-fashioned furniture, and subtly glowing lights were striking, and the formal dress of the guests further enhanced the setting. As soon as students arrived at the location, a balcony provided an excellent view of the city skyline of Long Beach and the ocean, which was a popular place to take photos.
The event also included a photo booth, drinks, food (mainly Mexican food), and a highlight for many students was a custom boba tea station, which quickly became a favorite stop throughout the night. “I really liked the atmosphere, and it was chill but still exciting,” Yuchun Wang, 11, said. “Plus, the strawberry lemonade boba tea was really good, so I drank the whole thing.” Additionally, the photo booth gave students an opportunity to creatively record moments with friends. “The photo booth was great,” Rebecca Samara, 11, said. “But honestly, just hanging out with my friends made the night. There weren’t enough seats and my feet were dying in heels, but it all worked out.”
While prom was very important for juniors, it held more sentimental significance for the seniors graduating Class of 2025. For them, the night was the beginning of the end of their high school journey. “I had a fun time since it was my last prom,” Shanaya Jasim, 12, said. “I was with the friends who made up my high school experience. It was awesome seeing everyone dressed up and confident. My favorite part was when we made a circle on the dance floor and someone would randomly go crazy in the middle. I’ll really miss everyone.” The dance floor was the heart of the whole event as it was constantly filled with students dancing to both current hits and nostalgic throwbacks. From dance circles erupting spontaneously to sing-alongs, the ballroom was a space for shared happiness and memories.
Reluctant to let the night end, students stayed on the decks as it was getting close, looking out over the placid waters and sparkling city lights. For many seniors who had attended, Midnight at the Mary was more than just a dance. It was a final chapter before the epilogue to their SMHS experience, whether they were embracing, posing for a final picture, or just enjoying the moment.
