After prom was cancelled last year due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many students in the class of 2021 were hopeful that they would at least be able to attend prom during their senior year and experience other events like senior sunset.
Although Pioneer chose not to hold a prom for students as they focused their resources on an in-person graduation, parents came together to create “MORP,” prom spelled backwards, to be held at Hayes Mansion on Friday, June 4.
In order to spread information about the event, they created an Instagram account (@piomorp21) to post pages instructing students on how and when they can purchase tickets, which is run by senior Landon Shishido.
“I decided to help run the MORP account so that students with any questions, comments, or concerns could reach out to a fellow student, and I would be able to answer their questions within a few minutes of messaging the account,” Shishido said.
Pioneer High School Education Foundation President RaeAnn Ramsey was glad that they were able to support graduating seniors in helping plan prom and allow them to come together one last time.
“The Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to support this parent-organized prom. Our purpose is to provide technology and programs that directly benefit students, so this is exactly what we can do,” Ramsey said. “This year, after such a long time away, it is important that we give our kids a chance to safely celebrate and connect with their peers. And we are honored to support that!”
Since the pandemic poses a risk to student safety, MORP has created expectations and rules for attendees to follow to mitigate the risks of students potentially catching COVID-19.
“MORP has precautions and rules in place to make sure there is no chance that any student will be exposed to the coronavirus like wearing masks, requiring vaccinations, negative covid tests and social distancing,” Shishido said.
Along with MORP, a car parade and senior sunset also planned by parents are set for Monday, May 31 which students like Brianna Wagener, 12, are looking forward to attending.
“I think Pioneer is just trying to keep everyone safe, but I am glad that parents and others are setting up other events for seniors,” Wagener said. “I am excited for the car parade and senior sunset because we get to end senior year with events, especially since we didn’t have any for the majority of the year.”
After coming up with plans for the car parade and senior sunset with other parents, Stephanie Schweizer, who has three students at Pioneer, including two graduating seniors, found herself working with many others to provide seniors with these end of the year events and is grateful for the help in making this experience.
“I am expecting that the kids who are interested in capping their senior year off with a week of senior events will attend and will enjoy being with their friends, some of whom they may not have seen since before the pandemic. It will be both an opportunity to reunite with friends and bring closure to their high school experience. My hope for all of the senior events is that the seniors feel celebrated and appreciated,” Schweizer said. “It really is the Pioneer village that is pulling together a week that the seniors will hopefully enjoy and remember for years to come.”
Although Pioneer chose not to hold a prom for students as they focused their resources on an in-person graduation, parents came together to create “MORP,” prom spelled backwards, to be held at Hayes Mansion on Friday, June 4.
In order to spread information about the event, they created an Instagram account (@piomorp21) to post pages instructing students on how and when they can purchase tickets, which is run by senior Landon Shishido.
“I decided to help run the MORP account so that students with any questions, comments, or concerns could reach out to a fellow student, and I would be able to answer their questions within a few minutes of messaging the account,” Shishido said.
Pioneer High School Education Foundation President RaeAnn Ramsey was glad that they were able to support graduating seniors in helping plan prom and allow them to come together one last time.
“The Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to support this parent-organized prom. Our purpose is to provide technology and programs that directly benefit students, so this is exactly what we can do,” Ramsey said. “This year, after such a long time away, it is important that we give our kids a chance to safely celebrate and connect with their peers. And we are honored to support that!”
Since the pandemic poses a risk to student safety, MORP has created expectations and rules for attendees to follow to mitigate the risks of students potentially catching COVID-19.
“MORP has precautions and rules in place to make sure there is no chance that any student will be exposed to the coronavirus like wearing masks, requiring vaccinations, negative covid tests and social distancing,” Shishido said.
Along with MORP, a car parade and senior sunset also planned by parents are set for Monday, May 31 which students like Brianna Wagener, 12, are looking forward to attending.
“I think Pioneer is just trying to keep everyone safe, but I am glad that parents and others are setting up other events for seniors,” Wagener said. “I am excited for the car parade and senior sunset because we get to end senior year with events, especially since we didn’t have any for the majority of the year.”
After coming up with plans for the car parade and senior sunset with other parents, Stephanie Schweizer, who has three students at Pioneer, including two graduating seniors, found herself working with many others to provide seniors with these end of the year events and is grateful for the help in making this experience.
“I am expecting that the kids who are interested in capping their senior year off with a week of senior events will attend and will enjoy being with their friends, some of whom they may not have seen since before the pandemic. It will be both an opportunity to reunite with friends and bring closure to their high school experience. My hope for all of the senior events is that the seniors feel celebrated and appreciated,” Schweizer said. “It really is the Pioneer village that is pulling together a week that the seniors will hopefully enjoy and remember for years to come.”