It was a night of enchantment for T. C. seniors and their dates at the 2004 prom.
This year’s event was held at the Crystal City Hyatt and featured Mardi gras masques, beads and an ice sculpture of 2004. Guests danced to a variety of music from hip hop to rock and enjoyed refreshments as well.
Before the prom, most couples went to dinner at a restaurant. A number of members of T. C.’s crew team were treated to a catered dinner at the home of one of the senior rowers. Prom queen, Ashley Dawkins, went to Morton’s Steak House in Washington, D.C., with 11 of her friends and classmates. Charles Barclay was the prom king.
The cost of attending the prom has risen over the years. This year, the average cost of a dress was $200. Coiffeurs cost around $50; nails, $35; shoes, $60; make-up, $40; corsages, $15; boutonnières, $7 and a limo,$1,000. Kevin Davis is the owner of Northern Virginia Executive Town Cars and Limousines. Like most limousine operators, Davis charged more for prom-goers.
“Transporting minors is a lot of responsibility,” Davis said. “My drivers check the car to make sure that there is no liquor being consumed at each stop. Also, if the kids get out of hand, we contact the parent who rented the limousine. We take our responsibilities very seriously.
“We don’t really charge a different rate for the prom but we do increase our minimum hours required from four to six. Believe me, I’ve seen everything,” Davis said.
THIS PROM, however, seemed to be free of real problems. Police reported no activity that was directly related to the prom and everyone had a good time. After the prom, many T. C. students went to breakfast at IHOP and then on to King’s Dominion for a day of fun in the sun.