Prom

= = =Summary=

Prom is one of the most memorable nights of some teenagers' lives. This dance is opened to Seniors and Juniors, although Sophmores and Freshman can attend if accompanied by an upperclassman. Prom usually takes place in the springtime and has three chairs to overview the prom. Each prom has a theme whether it is Egyptian Dreams or A Night In Paris. Prom is not a new thing, though. It has been around since the beginning of Belleville Township High School and will, hopefully, continue for years to come. =Brief History= At one point in the early years of B.T.H.S., prom used to be called the "Spring Formal". Obviously, the school changed the name, most likely to accomodate to the crowd it was pleasing. One thing that did not change, though, was the time frame in which prom took place. The name Spring Formal gives away when the prom took place, usually during late April or early May. The prom usually had a theme, although this trend developed in the later years of Belleville West. For each prom there were tri-chairs, which were three designated "heads" of prom that kept everything organized and under control. These tri-chairs were then assigned to specific committees that the person would overlook to make sure everything went smoothly.

Not much is known about the very early proms, considering prom is never recorded in the yearbook, nor are there any records of prom before the year of 1994. One thing we do know about prom before those years is the teacher that was in charge. Mr. Frecker was the first. Then Mrs. Heddens overviewed the committee for a short period of time. It is possible that Mrs. Morris led the prom committee before Mr. Frecker, but it is an unknown fact. The early years of prom probably obtained spending money through club fundraisers or class fundraisers like the Junior Jamboree. The Junior Jamboree brought most of the income to the prom and most likely established the building grounds of prom. There was no DJ back in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, or 50s, so the music came from an orchestra. As times changed, the orchestra became a band and the band became a DJ.

When the schools split in 1967, forming Belleville East and Belleville West, the prom arrangements changed. Belleville West continued to hold prom in the school cafeteria with decorations to cover the lunch lines and walls, but Belleville East moved prom to a rented location away from the school to create a more formal environment.

Another thing that has changed, although this being within a short amount of time, is the number of head chairs. The first tri-chairs were in the year 2000, every recorded year before that were "co chairs", consisting of only two people. The responsibilities were equivalent, but the work was more intense. With only two people in charge of prom, each person had atleast five committees to attend to, creating a more chaotic and stressful environment. With tri-chairs, though, each person has three to four committees, relieving much stress.

As of 2010, Mrs. Quandt has been leading the prom committee to great success for over fifteen years. Each year has had a new theme, new ideas, and new stresses. Although prom has been around since the early years of Belleville Township High School, its music selection, themes, style, location, and leadership have changed immensly, just as the students attending Belleville West have.

=Pictures of Previous Proms= This is an invitation from 2005 when the theme was Egyptian. Outside Committee for Fairytale theme Dance Floor for Fairytale theme

Back Wall for Fairytale - Another Wall for Fairytale - Front Wall

Foyer Coronation