This year's Carson High School seniors are forgoing limousines for school buses for the chance to spend prom night dancing at Lake Tahoe.
Heather Costella, senior class president, took a poll earlier in the year to see if students would rather continue the tradition of holding prom at the Silver Oaks Golf Course, return to hosting it in the school's gymnasium or on the paddleboat at Tahoe.
"It was an overwhelming win for the MS Dixie," Costella said.
Jennifer Tartan, leadership adviser, said she was skeptical about the proposal at first. However, once she looked into it, she agreed it was a good plan.
"One of the appeals of it to me is that we're doing a better job of keeping them safe," she said. "From 6:15 to midnight, they're going to be supervised. There's not a lot of time to make bad choices."
Prom goers will meet at the high school at 6:15 p.m. to be driven on school buses to the lake. On the MS Dixie II, they will be served beverages and appetizers.
Tartan said some students are planning early dinners with their dates, and local restaurant Garibaldi's is opening early to accommodate the adjusted schedule.
Tickets this year cost $50, about $5 less than last year's, and, Tartan said, they will be "getting more bang for their buck."
While most of last year's money went to decorating, this year the money will be going directly to the party, including providing all participants with a disposable camera.
"I think it's going to be a really cool concept," Costella said. "When kids get up there, I think they're going to think it's really beautiful. I'm crossing my fingers."
This year's prom strays from about a five-year tradition of holding prom at Silver Oaks Golf Course. Before that, it was held nearly every year in the school gym.
Costella said next year's class may follow her lead, or may choose a different direction.
"If our class is the only one that gets to experience it, it will be cool to know we got to do it," she said. "At least it will get people thinking of new ideas, thinking outside the box."
King Candidates:
Josh Barbie
Jeff Butler
Blake Moreland
Jordan Rogers
Tyler Simms
Brett Valley
Queen Candidates:
Mavil Diaz
Kelly Hazard
Maggie Jesse
Julia Lapham
Tiffany O'Day
Cassie Vondrak