Prom candidates came out on Thursday, Apr. 30. The candidates for prom king this year are Jack Thomas, Lucas Cooksey and Andre Grajeda. The candidates for prom queen are Olivia Creasy, Madelyn Wootten and Rebekah Gomez.

“When I got nominated, I was really surprised and excited. But I’m just really just happy for the opportunity,” senior Rebekah Gomez said. 

Juniors and seniors received a link to vote for prom king and queen by email. The form for voting opened on Apr. 30 and closed on May 1 at 4 p.m. Prom king and queen will be announced during prom. 

“I just decided to run this year because I’ve always wanted to do court, and I actually was nominated for HOCO court another year, and I just thought it was so fun,” senior Madelyn Wootten said. “It just makes a special night even more special.”

Prom is being held on Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Granite Park in Plano. 

“I’m very excited for the masquerade part of the prom. I think that’s kind of a cool theme and that it will be very fun,” senior Jack Thomas said. 

The tradition of prom dates back to the 19th century. The tradition of prom king and queen dates back to the late 1940s and 1950s. 

“I absolutely love prom. It’s just so fun. It’s just a chance for you and your classmates that you see in everyday clothes to dress up and have fun at one big night,” senior Madelyn Wootten said.

Prom is celebrated as the last major dance of the school year. For seniors, this is one of their last high school traditions they get to participate in. In many schools, prom kings and queens represent school spirit and leadership. 

“I hope students remember that our class was very fun, and that we were, obviously, 2026, the last mix, so we were the last ones to go from being from Rock Hill and Prosper to coming to Walnut Grove,” Gomez said. “And so I hope that they remember that we were the COVID sixth graders and now we’re graduating.”

The prom king and queen will be announced between 9:30 and 10 tonight at the dance.