With Camas High School’s (CHS) prom set to take place Saturday, April 12, the Associated Student Body (ASB) has been dedicating a lot of time behind the scenes to plan the event and set it up.

ASB usually begins to plan for prom at least a year in advance, primarily for the purpose of securing a venue that accommodates the desired size and dates. A group of leadership students, typically sophomores and juniors, tour potential sites and vote on them. This year, ASB decided on the Portland Art Museum as the prom venue.

The prom date is dependent on the availability of the venue and theme options are based on the venue as well. Usually, the junior representatives vote on one option, but they did it a little differently this year.

“This year, we put the vote up to the entire [ASB] class—that [idea] was chosen over the summer at a retreat where we brainstormed ideas,” Junior class treasurer Andrew Helt said.

After that, prom planning slowed down a bit until February and March when ASB bought the decorations and hired the DJ and caterer. With all costs taken into account, about $15,000 went into the 2025 prom budget.

“Considering how much we’re spending on food, the venue, decorations and all that, [making up the cost] is a little dependent on ticket sales, but we also do fundraisers,” Junior class president Blake Wilson said.

The big fundraiser for the junior class every year is the prom itself. Ticket sales help pay back the prom cost and go to the junior class budget.

“[The remaining cost] is also paid for through other ASB fundraisers that we do, so it’s all going back to the students eventually,” Junior class representative Cole Gardner said. 

Once logistics were set, it was time to prepare the rest of the school for prom through a spirit week, prom royalty voting, and an assembly. Since the 2025 prom theme is La La Land, students were able to dress up according to various Hollywood-themed prompts throughout the week leading up to the event. Additionally, ASB hosted games and activities during lunches. 

On the day of the prom, members of ASB will decorate the venue and prepare it for the arrival of the upperclassmen later in the night. 

“We just hope they have a really fun time,” ASB adviser and CHS fitness instructor Valerie Parbon said. “We hope that it’s a safe, fun, memorable night, and we hope that people come!”