Afterglo, a long-standing school tradition held after prom, is undergoing several changes this year as organizers respond to declining attendance and evolving student expectations.
Typically designed as a safe, supervised environment for students to continue celebrating after prom, the event has faced challenges in maintaining consistent participation in recent years. In response, school staff and student organizers have reevaluated how the event is structured, funded and promoted.
One of the most significant updates is the decision to include the junior class in the celebration of Afterglo, expanding beyond its traditional focus on seniors. Organizers believe this shift could help increase attendance by giving underclassmen an opportunity to take part in the experience earlier, while also building long-term interest in the event.
“Participation in Afterglo has been declining over the last few years,” Afterglo adviser Chelsey McKee said. “By making this change we are hoping that more students will want to participate and keep it growing to something that they can look forward to.”
Another major focus this year has been increasing student involvement in the planning process. In the past, much of the decision-making was handled by faculty or parent organizers, but this year there has been a more deliberate effort to gather student input.
“Fundraising, planning the activities that the students want to do, and the different kinds of foods that the students want are all being considered,” McKee said. “It’s more of what the students want rather than what the teachers want.”
Planning for the event has also followed a structured timeline, beginning with fundraising efforts earlier in the year. Those efforts were necessary to determine what resources would be available before making final decisions about the event itself. As funding has become clearer, organizers have transitioned into more detailed planning, focusing on scheduling activities and organizing the overall flow of the night.
“We started with fundraising, and now we’re getting to a point where we’re just kind of planning the different activities to do throughout the event,” McKee said.
Students, juniors and seniors alike, have shared their thoughts on the new changes. While some students haven’t paid much attention to the changes, others have.
“I don’t really like that it’ll be at the school this year,” junior Judah Curry said. “But since juniors can go to prom, I don’t see why they can’t go to Afterglo too.”
“I think that Afterglo should only be for seniors,” senior Noah Spahn said. “But I can understand why they changed it.”
In addition to program changes, organizers have made adjustments to the event’s location. Unlike previous years when Afterglo was held at Lakemont Park, this year’s event will take place at the school.
“I’m excited for Afterglo this year because I heard we’ll be able to swim,” senior Dominic DeAntonio said. “I definitely don’t know about juniors being there, though.”
Staying on campus allows organizers to reduce expenses while still offering a structured event.
“A big reason why we decided to change locations was because of a lack of funding from the senior class,” McKee said. “That’s why we chose to stay here rather than try to find another location.”
While these changes mark a departure from some past traditions, organizers say they are focused on sustainability and long-term success. By expanding participation, increasing student input and managing costs more carefully, they hope to rebuild interest in Afterglo and ensure it remains a valued part of the prom experience for future classes
