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Luverne students find alternatives to traditional prom

By Sara Quam
Prom isn't what it used to be. Backseat rendezvous and bonfire parties aren't necessarily a given for proms of the 21st century; neither is the traditional suit and dress.

Some students decide not to go to prom at all - taking the pressure off having to find a date. And others, like sophomores Jamison Tooley (pictured) and Daniel Amborn are making their nights out less traditional in the way of prom attire.

To save money and just to be different, the boys looked around for unique clothes.

Tooley saw a pair of black shoes with a red flame inlay and decided to create his prom suit around them. After the shoes came a black-and- metallic shirt (also trimmed with flames), a flame-covered belt, velvet pants with flecks of silver and so on, until his desired look was complete.

"It's cheaper or equal to the cost of renting a suit," Tooley said. And he can easily rewear his prom outfit.

The fact that it will stand out in a sea of black tuxes also appeals to Tooley who wants to make his first prom memorable.

"It only has to be serious for your last year. That's my opinion," Tooley said.

Although prom is still a big deal, Tooley doesn't see it as the huge event that many do. "It will be something to remember, but not a major thing."

Amborn said, "We didn't want to go with traditional tuxes, and saving money helps."

Amborn's suit was actually free - his grandfather allowed him to ransack his closets for prom.

"He has an interesting sense of humor, and we just mixed and matched some of his suits," Amborn said.

What he ended up with is this: white pants, black-and-white wing tip shoes, white shirt, flowery cummerbund and bow tie, shiny red vest and a black hat.

Another student who bucks the prom system is senior Tony Burns, who won't be attending prom this year. As the feature editor of The Echo, Luverne High School's newspaper, he had something to say about prom in a recent column.

Burns wrote, "Prom is supposed to be this magical thing that everyone likes and has fun at, but to tell you the truth, prom is not that great. It is blown way out of proportion and is way too expensive for what we do."

Expensive is a pretty accurate term.

Prom can cost couples anywhere from $400 to $1,000. And that's not hard to believe once costs of garters, special drinking glasses, professional photographs, dress, special undergarments, shoes, hair, nails, tanning, suit, meal and transportation are tallied.

Of course, some Luverne High School students have found ways around that this year.

Prom 2001
Saturday, April 28
Theme: HeartÕs Desire
Song: "When You Say
Nothing At All," by
Allison Krause
Colors: Purple, silver, white
Dinner: Luverne Country Club, steak or chicken
DJ: Hott 104.7 until 1 a.m.

After prom party
The school's after-prom party leaves students with alternatives to drinking and other social pressures that the big night can bring. Businesses donate money and prizes to make the event possible. From 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. the after-prom party will keep participants busy with games and food.

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