BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The students stepped out of the limos and buses with dresses that sparkled in the night and tuxedos pressed to perfection.
On Saturday, Feb. 17 at Blue Grillhouse, Moravian University Class of 2024 students, who graduated from high school in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, got a night to remember.
Hundreds of Moravian seniors who missed out on their high school proms because of COVID finally got to attend — four years late.
It was senior Avery Bailey, an English and Writing Arts major and a resident advisor on campus, who last fall brought forth the idea to hold a prom.
"We have these [senior resident advisor] trainings at the beginning of year to discuss events for seniors and I suggested that we plan a prom, but casually as a joke," Bailey said.
Moravian Dean of Campus Life Liz Yates was at the meeting and became intrigued by the idea.
"Liz asked me if that's something the students would seriously be interested in, and I thought about how a lot of us didn't get a prom senior year, so at the end of the fall semester, she told me in secret that it was happening," Bailey said.
Bailey and a dozen of her classmates were members of a prom committee, and in charge of planning the essentials: selecting a venue, the catering menu, DJ selection and decorations.
Tickets cost $75 and were paid for by the students.
The only requirement — because there was an open bar onsite (this was the college version after all) — was that patrons hitch a ride in the Moravian school bus or hire a private limo, motor-coach or ride-share app like Uber.
Dressed to impress
Bailey, who 2020 graduate of Bangor Area High School, said she had spent $400 on her high school prom dress before her plans fell apart at the seams.
"Tonight is really special," she said. "We're having a four-course meal, everyone looks so beautiful."Moravian University senior Avery Bailey
"It was a bummer, obviously, because that is a lot of money to spend on a dress," Bailey said of the canceled soiree. "But moreso, just the experience I never got to have."
On Saturday, she danced with her besties to the likes of Drake, Ed Sheeran and Flo Rida, in a blue-sequined mermaid gown from Windsor that cost less than $200.
"Tonight is really special," Bailey said. "We're having a four-course meal, everyone looks so beautiful."
Prom royalty
Megan Curtis, an economics major, also beamed with happiness during her girls night out.
Curtis' date for the prom was her roommate's sister.
Curtis, a Nazareth Area High School graduate, was among eight seniors selected to compete as "Prom Royalty" by their peers (only three were crowned that evening).
"It's just been amazing — one of our last memories together before we go out in the real world."Moravian University senior Megan Curtis
"I definitely would never have been nominated in high school because I was more reserved," she said.
The college version of prom turned out better than she imagined — with fewer rules and more friends to go 'round.
"I got to pop champagne in the limo, which is something I wouldn't have done in high school," Curtis said. "It's just been amazing — one of our last memories together before we go out in the real world."
