With its third annual Pre-Prom Event hosted on Saturday, April 26th, Muscatine High School Pride Club offered a warm toast to inclusiveness. The grassroots advocacy organization, Stonewall Muscatine, originally planned the Pre-Prom Event. It was designed as a safe space, a celebration, and a happy place for LGBTQ+ students to come together on what is often one of the most highly anticipated nights of the school year. A place where they could be themselves with no filter to adhere to.
Pre-Prom this year was a benchmark in maintaining that tradition since it continued to grow in size, helping establish it as a recognizable and important event. Efforts by the Stanley Center for Peace and Security and the club adviser, Stephanie Cromer, have contributed to this growth. The event embodies the inclusive spirit of allies who want to provide LGBTQ+ youth with things many of them could take advantage of.
What began as an idea has become an event to look forward to. The Pride Club is grateful to the staff of the Stanley Center for Peace and Security for stepping forward and hosting this event in their building.
This year, the celebration extended even further. The event welcomed students and advocates from outside of Muscatine, with guests from United Action for Youth in Iowa City and visitors from West Liberty, offering invitations to those who wish to come. This greater inclusion underscored the event’s growing importance as a source of acceptance and support.
Held immediately before the school’s official prom, going from 4-7 pm and open to the underclassmen of the club, the Pre-Prom event provided a variety of activities:
- Games and dancing to keep the fun and spirits high
- Food and drinks for the students to enjoy in a cozy atmosphere
- A raffle with excellent prizes, adding a pleasant and memorable aspect to the night
The event offered a chance for the students to bond, make friends, and celebrate in an atmosphere where happiness and belonging were at the top. Now in its third consecutive year, the Pre-Prom party has evolved into a cherished tradition for the Pride Club. With every passing year, the party grows bigger, having more individuals attend.
As the Pride Club and their advisor continue, their dedication is still the same: to keep creating spaces where LGBTQ+ youth can be seen, safe, and celebrated. Moments such as Pre-Prom remind us of the power that love, allyship, and community can hold for young people.
