On May 16th, 2014, Paint Branch High School celebrated its 45th Promenade dance.

Held at the University of Maryland, College Park, the dance started promptly at 8:00, although students were given a two-hour time period in which to arrive at the festivities. Like other dances, students entered Alumni Hall and checked in with staff and student volunteers before entering into the ballroom.

The ballroom, with its high ceilings, black lights and elegant table settings, truly set a mood of chic glamour for the night. The perimeter of the room held food and drinks for attendees. While students snacked on chips n’ queso, mini sliders, and punch, they spent a few moments catching up with old friends and admiring one another’s attire. On the food front, it was not until toward the second half of the evening that the real hit surfaced – an ice cream bar for all those with a sweet tooth.

Another highlight of the evening included the announcement of this year’s Prom King and Prom Queen. This year’s honors went to Chiedozie Obi and Jada Jones, respectively. The rest of the night was spent on the dance floor, where almost everyone found some music that they could sway to. From upbeat oldies to slower melodies, the energy in the hall was always high.

As the clock struck midnight and the dance came to an end, Panthers gradually made their way up the staircase and back out to the parking lot, where a swarm of party buses and limos awaited their royal guests. After departing the dance, students ventured to various places on their own, with a large contingent choosing to attend the annual after-prom event at Resurrection Church.