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Shouldn’t you be in the dungeon waiting to bludgeon a girl to death? You’re not a very good troll m’dear.But let’s assume that you’re actually serious and not trying to start pointless drama by asking such a question with such oddly specific formulations.Let me tell you a secret.Yeah, come closer, here it goes…Hermione is not actually the “greatest witch of her generation”. Nor will she ever be.I know! It’s incredible, right? Incredible… but true!Alright, alright, I’m feeling generous, let me tell you another secret…Ron is not the least competent wizard of his generation, and never will be.And, and!! Guess what?Harry is not the most competent wizard of his generation, either.And!! Another one!! I’m just telling you ALL the secrets!!Hermione marrying Harry because he’d be “the most competent wizard of his generation” wouldn’t be love. It’d be eugenics.You know, eugenics! That cool thing fascist states can’t get enough of! That illuminating concept of a one true perfect human being that should be the template for EVERY other human being! That “Aryan race” thingy, about how the only acceptable characteristics of a human being should be blond hair, blue eyes and white skin! You know, just like how the Death Eaters thought there should only be Pureblood wizards because they were the “superior” wizards!Now, you obviously aren’t going to believe me. Probably because you’re a troll and you’re asking this question just to start drama because you have nothing better to do and you think it’s fun. But you know what? I think it’s fun to correct false assumptions about Ron, so it’s all good!Right, let me just pick ONE scene that collapses your entire question onto itself and destroys your reality as you know it.“That was really, really good, Harry,” said Hermione, when finally it was just her, Harry, and Ron left.“Yeah, it was!” said Ron enthusiastically, as they slipped out of the door and watched it melt back into stone behind them. “Did you see me disarm Hermione, Harry?”“Only once,” said Hermione, stung. “I got you loads more than you got me —”“I did not only get you once, I got you at least three times —”“Well, if you’re counting the one where you tripped over your own feet and knocked the wand out of my hand —”They argued all the way back to the common room, but Harry was not listening to them. He had one eye on the Marauder’s Map, but he was also thinking of how Cho had said he made her nervous… - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 18Why look at that!The “greatest witch of her generation” got owned by the so-called “least competent wizard of his generation”.If she was so great surely this puny wizard shouldn’t be able to even land a hit on her oh-so superior and powerful person, even through luck. Because she’s so great. She’s so great she should be eating Voldemort for breakfast. Really Hermione, you’re slacking off, go kill Voldemort like the good perfect competent strong woman you’re supposed to be. After all you’re the greatest witch of your generation. Act like it.If she was so competent…Surely she wouldn’t have gone down first in the Department of Mysteries?And not in such a completely stupid manner too?‘Collo—’ began Hermione, but before she could complete the spell the door had burst open and the two Death Eaters had come hurtling inside.With a cry of triumph, both yelled:‘IMPEDIMENTA!’Harry, Hermione and Neville were all knocked backwards off their feet; Neville was thrown over the desk and disappeared from view; Hermione smashed into a bookcase and was promptly del­uged in a cascade of heavy books; the back of Harry’s head slammed into the stone wall behind him, tiny lights burst in front of his eyes and for a moment he was too dizzy and bewildered to react.‘WE’VE GOT HIM!’ yelled the Death Eater nearest Harry. ‘IN AN OFFICE OFF—’‘Silencio!’ cried Hermione and the man’s voice was extinguished. He continued to mouth through the hole in his mask, but no sound came out. He was thrust aside by his fellow Death Eater.Nice, Hermione, now he can’t warn his friends anymore! But… why didn’t you Stupefy him? Surely that would have the same effect -‘Petrificus Totalus!’ shouted Harry, as the second Death Eater raised his wand. His arms and legs snapped together and he fell forwards, face down on to the rug at Harry’s feet, stiff as a board and unable to move.Good. Good. Though, guys, you still have one Death Eater left, he’s Silenced but nonverbal spells exist you know -‘Well done, Ha—’THIS IS A FREAKING FIGHT TO THE DEATH YOU ABSOLUTE IDIOT YOU’RE NOT IN A GODDAMN CLASSROOM YOU’LL CONGRATULATE HIM ONCE YOU’RE BACK TO SAFETY -But the Death Eater Hermione had just struck dumb made a sudden slashing movement with his wand; a streak of what looked like purple flame passed right across Hermione’s chest. She gave a tiny ‘Oh!’ as though of surprise and crumpled on to the floor, where she lay motionless.*slow clap* good jorb, “brightest witch of your age”Now let’s see how the “least competent wizard of his generation” fared.So Harry Petrificuses the Death Eater who knocked Hermione out. Neville now carries Hermione, which means that Harry is two fighters short - again, the “brightest witch of her age”, everyone. This is why we leave strategy to Ron.Speaking of Ron:‘So which way d’you reck—?’But before they could make a decision as to which way to try, a door to their right sprang open and three people fell out of it.‘Ron!’ croaked Harry, dashing towards them. ‘Ginny — are you all -?’‘Harry,’ said Ron, giggling weakly, lurching forwards, seizing the front of Harry’s robes and gazing at him with unfocused eyes, ‘there you are... ha ha ha... you look funny, Harry... you’re all messed up...’… wait, he’s not normally that silly, especially not when there’s a battle to the death going on -Ron’s face was very white and something dark was trickling from the corner of his mouth. Next moment his knees had given way, but he still clutched the front of Harry’s robes, so that Harry was pulled into a kind of bow.Oh shit.‘Ginny?’ Harry said fearfully. ‘What happened?’But Ginny shook her head and slid down the wall into a sitting position, panting and holding her ankle.‘I think her ankle’s broken, I heard something crack,’ whispered Luna, who was bending over her and who alone seemed to be unhurt. ‘Four of them chased us into a dark room full of planets; it was a very odd place, some of the time we were just floating in the dark -’‘Harry, we saw Uranus up close!’ said Ron, still giggling feebly. ‘Get it, Harry? We saw Uranus — ha ha ha -’A bubble of blood grew at the corner of Ron’s mouth and burst.Oh shit oh shit oh shit.‘— anyway, one of them grabbed Ginny’s foot, I used the Reductor Curse and blew up Pluto in his face, but...’Luna gestured hopelessly at Ginny, who was breathing in a very shallow way, her eyes still closed.‘And what about Ron?’ said Harry fearfully, as Ron continued to giggle, still hanging off the front of Harry’s robes.‘I don’t know what they hit him with,’ said Luna sadly, ‘but he’s gone a bit funny, I could hardly get him along at all.’GREAT. OUR STRATEGIST IS DOWN. LET’S HOPE DUMBLEDORE HURRIES UP.Oh, by the way, notice anything?‘Four of them chased us into a dark room full of planets; it was a very odd place, some of the time we were just floating in the dark -’‘— anyway, one of them grabbed Ginny’s foot, I used the Reductor Curse and blew up Pluto in his face, but...’‘I don’t know what they hit him with,’You know what that means?Come on, I’m terrible at math but even I can figure out that one.Luna takes out the Death Eater that broke Ginny’s ankle.That leaves us with three Death Eaters unaccounted for.And Luna is telling us that “they” cursed Ron. As in “more than one person”. As in…As in Ron Weasley holding off three Death Eaters on his own to protect his baby sister and her friend.It’s not the first time Ron would throw himself in front of danger to protect his loved ones after all.I’m not just talking about the chess match, though that bit is iconic.I’m not talking about the legendary “If you want to kill Harry you’ll have to kill us too!” as he stoods on his broken leg to flip off a mass murderer. Which is also iconic.No. I’m talking about one bit that is too often neglected, too often goes missing from readers’ heads, too often is ignored.Namely, this bit:Ron was on his feet. As the dog sprang back toward them he pushed Harry aside; the dog’s jaws fastened instead around Ron’s outstretched arm. Harry lunged forward, he seized a handful of the brute’s hair, but it was dragging Ron away as easily as though he were a rag doll–RONALD MOTHERF*CKING WEASLEY’S FIRST FREAKING INSTINCT IS TO PUSH HARRY OUT OF HARM’S WAY AND TAKE THE HIT INSTEAD.THIS IS HOW RON GETS DRAGGED INTO THE WHOMPING WILLOW. NOT BECAUSE SIRIUS WENT FOR RON, BUT BECAUSE RON TOOK A HIT THAT WAS INTENDED FOR HARRY.Y’ALL WISH YOU COULD BE HALF A QUARTER AS GOOD AS RONALD MOTHERF*CKING WEASLEY.*cough* Anyway…Ron Weasley is goddamn competent, moreso than Hermione Granger. Sure he’s not as academical as she is. But when it actually matters - aka in real life, not in an exam where you’re in a safe, controlled, comfortable environment - he demonstrates that he’s 1. a total badass, 2. perfectly able to handle himself thank you very much.Really… it’s been clear from the very first book…Hermione had sunk to the floor in fright; Ron pulled out his own wand -- not knowing what he was going to do he heard himself cry the first spell that came into his head: "Wingardium Leviosa!"The club flew suddenly out of the troll's hand, rose high, high up into the air, turned slowly over -- and dropped, with a sickening crack, onto its owner's head. The troll swayed on the spot and then fell flat on its face, with a thud that made the whole room tremble.… to the very last.“Harry Potter is dead! Do you understand now, deluded ones? He was nothing, ever but a boy who relied on others to sacrifice themselves for him!”“He beat you!” yelled Ron, and the charm broke, and the defenders of Hogwarts were shouting and screaming again until a second, more powerful bang extinguished their voices once more.A Silencing Charm from Voldemort, done with the Elder Wand itself? That won’t stop Ronald Motherf*cKING Weasley.Really… why fangirl over Hermione when Ron is right there?

I tend to agree with Dan on this one, but as a long time resident of Japan, I am aware that 'inalienable human rights’ tend to be defined differently, if at all, in social contexts outside of Euro-centric cultures. There was some interesting exchange between Harold and Geoffrey about the Japanese justice system, so I am addressing the original question in a rather indirect way.I agree with Harold in that 'tyranny' is not quite the right word to describe the tightly structured society in Japan, but 'inalienable human rights' is certainly not high on the list of this society's priorities. One of my Japanese buddies used the phrase ‘taitei shakai’ to refer to the rigid hierarchical mind-set that permeates the society. That, in my mind, makes the description of Japan as ‘developed’ somewhat problematic, as would I question the implication that technologically ‘developed’ is linked with morally ‘developed’ regarding any country.America’s problems are covered pretty well by public intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky and Chris Hedges, as well as the new crop of independent journalists and comedians … Jimmy Dore, Samantha Bee, Lee Camp, Max Blumenthal, Naomi Klein, and so on.But the mass media and national government in Japan tends to sweep things under the carpet as Japanese-Cultural Exceptionalism. You will not find a Japanese version of Ed Snowden or Julian Assange. And neither will you find a Japanese translation of the wiki-read on Collective narcissism. Even the concept would burst the conceit of cultural exceptionalism upon which the tourist industry depends, and the often ruthless authoritarianism behind the facade. With all of Japan’s technological prowess, in 2014, only about 17% of all police interrogations for cases submitted to lay judge trials were recorded … audio or visual.Police expand recording of entire interrogations | The Japan TimesAs Geoffrey pointed out, the conviction rate is suspiciously high over here, still pretty much 'guilty until proven innocent' ... and the status quo continues even though forensic science is slowly revealing to the public an increasing number of false convictions.In the aftermath of the Kato-Akihabara random killings in 2008, I remember reading that the Japanese word ‘kojin', for ‘individual', was not coined until just a couple of hundred years ago in order to translate the philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Kato, was a sociopath, but such random outbursts of violence and rage are fermented by a society in which individuals are passed from institution to institution, often with no one taking personal responsibility to nurture the marginalized. After minimal soul-searching, the authorities earned their keep and ‘solved’ the problem by prohibiting the sale of double edged knives.Likewise, another Japanese academic (will post the source on request), pointed out that the Japanese word for ‘citizen’ (shakaijin) was not invented until about a couple of hundred years ago … and it can be reasonably presumed the Western notions of the responsibilities and rights of citizenship are similarly new and evolving, albeit slowly.As an educator and a socially responsible adult, I am assuming that we are social primates by genetic heritage, and therefore are our brother’s keeper. America has more than its share of neolib corporate cut-throat right wingers and Ayn Rand-brand libertarians who pretend they are above the infrastructure we have all had a hand in building.But Japan has its own style of ‘othering’ the weak or marginalized. As a foreigner, my Japanese friends tend to be outside of the mainstream workforce, the majority of Japanese personal identities was, and to a high degree, still is, defined by the primary in-group to which they owe allegiance.A typical American may introduce himself/herself by their profession first, whereas most working class Japanese introduce themselves as a member of such and such corporation. Japanese companies, compared to Anglo or Euro-centric counterparts, are still reluctant to identify its employees as specialists, lest the employee gain too much political leverage. At all but the highest levels of management, companies tend to regularly transfer employees to different departments … ostensibly to prevent the build-up of power cliques within the company (the old divide and conquer strategy of management). There is a cultural-historical template for this stemming from when the Tokugawa shogunate of pre-modern Japan passed a law in 1635 requiring the lessor lords to make expensive bi-annual pilgrimages to Edo (old Tokyo) and requiring them to permanently relocate their families to Edo, effectively, as hostages. But I suspect such political behavioral strategies are both older and more universal.As applied to humans in general, I tend to agree with evolutionary anthropologist Robert Dunbar’s theory — that humans evolved from small hunter-gatherer bands, and our brains evolved to be most socially efficient in groups of between 100 and 250 people or so. Beyond that number, we can no longer remember everyone’s individual character traits, strengths, and weaknesses … so we then tend to align ourselves into fairly rigid hierarchies. The problem with large hierarchies, as opposed to small circles, is that once we exceed Dunbar’s number, the top of the hierarchy is distanced from the bottom. Those aspiring to the top value distinguishing themselves from the pack, whereas those empathizing with the bottom tend to share egalitarian values. Capitalism, as Thomas Piketty has recently pointed out, tends to create a run-away effect which results in a wealthy minority ‘capitalizing’ and thus ‘dehumanizing’ those at the bottom of the hierarchy. But as we have seen in the former Soviet Union, the Khmer Rouge, the Catholic Church, Lehman Brothers, even a couple of ‘volunteer’ groups I have associated with — no institution, no ‘—ism’, ‘—ity’, —‘ology’, or —‘acy' is immune from the same dysfunctions.Dunbar's numberThe priority of the national government in Japan is not to protect and preserve inalienable human rights. It’s priority is to preserve and perpetuate it's own structure. Although all institutions, as stated above, are subject to such hierarchically dysfunctional mission creep, it is particularly ingrained and sustained in Japanese culture — from the top-down wrote memory ‘juken-senso’ (exam wars) that begin in Jr. High, to pre-work group exercises or singing the company song or mandatory drinking parties, and the near absence of political humor or satire. I would hazard a guess that while the current national government’s trend of promoting Japanese culture is justified as an economic strategy, this cultural self-promotion is sustained and rooted in a long standing obsession with wondering how Japan is viewed by their models of ‘progess’, the Euro-centric cultures — yet the subliminal Confucian mindset insists on pigeon-holing cultural identity according to a suitable ‘hensachi’ or ‘tachiba’ (hierarchical ranking) with those Western models. The following is an example from the education industry.Finland has been seen as a model for education, consistently ranked high across the board in international tests. But more tellingly, the single most common aspiration of undergraduates in Finland is to be a teacher. The secret is quite simple — the teachers have personal authority and the personal sense of obligation to try to raise each student according to their individual potential. Japan has sent a wave of government funded ‘researchers’ to find a way to bottle this secret, but keep it in the hands of the Central Ministry of Education, make a mandate of it, and force the teachers and students to follow a strict, across the board, one-size fits all curriculum that minimizes the student as a unique individual … and still expect to have similar competitive results as Finland. This is Marxism at its worst … not Karl, Groucho … or maybe Harpo. Japanese media and the government make a big hullabaloo when one of their own wins a Nobel Prize. But almost every Japanese that has won the prize in the sciences offer the same advice to young minds — if you want to do great things, get out of Japan and into an Anglo or Euro-centric University as soon as possible. Why? Well the Obakata-Riken Stap Cell fraud was so bad, that it aroused questioning over the cronyism involved in Waseda University’s (a Japanese Ivy-Leaguge school) process of granting Ph.D.s. What we call cronyism is endemic in Japanese Academia.Western education's liberal arts tradition of egalitarianism and questioning authority has never really taken root in Japanese culture. Instead, a rather rigid Confucian tradition of social organization (that the current Chinese national government can only dream about) is deeply engrained. I would hazard a rough guess that the virtues of Suzuki Daisetsu’s version of Zen and the nature-embracing aspects of traditional Shinto belief are now most effectively employed as a spiritual refuge from the tyranny of conformity. But rather than Zen or Shinto, it is the Confucian strangle-hold on the virtues of the hierarchical mind-set that permeates the culture. Everything and everyone is ranked and pigeon-holed.One way of looking at cultures is as our collective reaction to a low tolerance for ambiguity. We all have our mythos and logos, whether it be a scientific paradigm, religious narrative, or nationalistic agenda … we all have our tribes. It is only at rare moments that we have the luxury of peeking behind the curtain of our post-modern alienation. The human pre-occupation with classifying and ranking seems to be a left-brain phenomenon (a defense against ambiguity such as the confirmation bias, or finding patterns where none exist), while ‘connecting' and ‘transcending' seems right-brain. Acknowledging that statement as a gross oversimplification, I think Jill Bolte Taylor expressed it most profoundly.My stroke of insightAs opponents of standardized testing in America well know, ranking things (and people) necessarily reduces complexity (and individuality), often at the cost of the value of complexity and unique individuality. I would suggest Emergence Theory, Recursive Fractals, and Systems Theories (such as applied to ecology or Artificial Intelligence) and its dynamic mandala of the Mandelbrot Set as a good visual representation of the limits of hierarchies and ranking.Mandelbrot setI remember the Japanese bubble era when the world was caught unaware of how competitive Japan could be … most likely because the world was ignorant of how competitive the Japanese are among themselves. Other than the highly structured sanctions of traditional Japanese sports — the martial arts, individuals tend not to challenge individuals. But as experienced managers or teachers know, in-groups are extremely competitive with other in-groups. And this is not all a consciously top-down imposition. As an example of self-regulation of in-group hierarchies, just take a look at how Japanese high-school or college clubs and circles manage themselves along lines that would be regarded as para-military by most western standards. The marching, cheering, and ceremonial nature of the annual high school haseball tournament at Koshien are a real hoot. Jack boots would not seem so out of place. Even at the linguistic level, there is no commonly used word for ‘sister’ or ‘brother’ … either ‘older’ or ‘younger’ is explicit in the word choice.The ‘keigo’ (honorific language of manners) is notoriously difficult, even for Japanese, and so must be explicitly taught to college students gearing up to enter the work force. Perhaps a direct translation of the word ‘manners’ in Japanese is illusory because what appears to be the same word may refer to quite different things. As an American ex-pat raised in the rural American south, I would say that manners is a graceful accommodation of putting others first, and closely correlated with a personal code of morality towards anyone, including strangers … whereas as Japanese ‘manners’, at least those taught in high school or college as preparation for the working world, is acknowledgement and deference to people specifically associated with the corporate in-group — to those in authority or customers — and has nothing to do with how to treat strangers or ‘outsiders’ to the group. I would say that genuine kindness and a sense of empathy arise here, despite education … not because of it. As relative position within in-groups is highly nuanced, the codes designating such nuances are rigidly followed by anyone with ‘good’ manners. And whereas an American’s rank in a company might be determined by office size, it is far more easy to guess the exact rank of a Japanese employee in almost any company here, just by looking at mere seating order.This reduction of complexity through the comfort of conformity and the illusory stability of hierarchies exacts a moral cost. Two immediate examples that come to mind include the previously mentioned exoneration of institutional malfeasance at Riken with the Obakata Stap Cell case, and Toyo Rubber's fleecing of the government for sub-standard earthquake resistant reinforcement of buildings. Granted, white collar crimes in America are also punished with a relatively light slap on the wrist. But from this American ex-pat’s perspective, in the following two examples, Japan takes it a step too far.How can anyone trust a national government whose knee-jerk reaction (along with TEPCO) was to TWICE refuse American aid (dumping coolant and providing a military-grade water pump) when the Fukushima meltdown was imminent?Japanese Reaction to Catastrophe Worries White House1. Japan refuses US aid offerBut this was not the first time that the government was willing to risk Japanese lives in order to keep its hierarchical ranking. I still remember the crash of JAL 123 in late 1985. The U.S. military from nearby Yokota airbase found the wreckage in the mountains of Gunma about 20 minutes after the crash while it was still daylight. The U.S. military quickly prepared a team for a helicopter night-rescue of survivors, but were ordered to stand down by the Japanese government so that Japanese Self Defense Forces could come to the rescue the next day. The government's willingness to allow some deaths of its own citizens rather than let ‘outsiders' attempt a rescue still sickens me.Japan Airlines Flight 123But time again, as a (former) tenured employee of a Japanese college, I have seen my own former institution do the same — cut off its own nose to spite its own face.In light of what Dan says about inalienable human rights, this is probably why after spending over half my life in Japan, I will never be fully Japanese, and neither do I wish to be. Neither do I wish to be identified as American, foreigner, or westerner. If I must have a label, ‘bonobo’ will do just nicely.After more than 30 years here, I've come to take minimal street crime as a matter of course. But at the losing end of a rift with a typical hierarchical Japanese institute my former college, I also realize that 'peace' or 'justice' is often translated as 'maintaining the institutional status quo' in a 'strait-jacket society’ (coined by author and psychiatrist Masao Miyamoto). Again, the price of peace — the leading cause of death among males between the ages of 20 and 44 is suicide.Suicide in JapanAnd there are untold numbers of mental health casualties. I have seen it first hand, and have been involved in some volunteer work to ease the strain. But with the rise of Chinese expansionism and the Abe-led majority government's rapid right-wing shift (and concentration of wealth into the hands of the oligarchy) is only going to make things worse. I am afraid that Thomas Piketty's recent warning of the consequences of Abenomics has fallen on deaf ears, and it will be the marginalized individuals in Japan who pay the price of 'peace' and 'justice’.The next ‘Kato' on death row will face the inhumane uncertainty of when will be their final day … dehumanized, and deprived of the right to prepare. I think we should be very careful in conflating ‘developed’ country with a mature and compassionate culture.

PromFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaA typical gathering, with boys in tuxedos, and girls in dresses with corsages on their wrists.Decorating for prom, students and student advisers put finishing touches on a ballroom at a banquet hall.In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, a promenade dance, most commonly called a prom, is a semi-formal (black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (the last year of high school). Proms figure greatly in popular culture and are major events among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it "junior prom" while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom". In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.At a prom, a Prom King and Prom Queen may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and seniors are usually awarded these titles.[1]Other students may be honored with inclusion in a "Prom Court." The selection method for a Prom Court is similar to that of HomecomingQueen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports.[2][3]The Prom Queen and Prom King may be given crowns to wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.[4]Similar events take place in many other parts of the world. In Australia and New Zealand, the terms school formal, and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in senior years, although the bestowing of the regal titles rarely, if ever, occurs. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland a debutante ball or Debs may also be held. In Poland high schools organize a "studniówka". The term "prom" is becoming more common in the UK and Canada because of the influence of American films and television shows.In the United StatesHistoryProm danceIn the early days of high school proms, the nighttime dance served a function similar to a debutante ball. Early proms were times of firsts: the first adult social event for teenagers; the first time taking the family car out after dark; the first real dress-up affair; and so forth. Proms also served as a heavily-documented occasion, similar to a milestone event such as first communion or a wedding, in which the participants were taking an important step into a new stage in their lives. In earlier days, the prom may have also served as an announcement of engagement for the “best couple” after the prom court had been crowned and recognized.While high school yearbooks did not start covering proms and including prom pictures until the 1930s and 1940s, historians, including Meghan Bretz, believe proms may have existed at colleges as early as the late 19th century. The journal of a male student at Amherst College in 1894 recounts an invitation and trip to an early prom at neighboring Smith College for women. The word prom at that time may just have been a fancy description for an ordinary junior or senior class dance, but prom soon took on larger-than-life meaning for high school students.Proms worked their way down incrementally from college gatherings to high school extravaganzas. In the early 20th century, prom was a simple tea dance where high school seniors wore their Sunday best. In the 1920s and 1930s, prom expanded into an annual class banquet where students wore party clothes and danced afterwards. According to Jackie Blount, during the McCarthy era "schools became implemented curricula intended to keep youth sexually straight. In effect, schools became fundamentally important agencies in the nationwide campaign to fight homosexuality." This attitude further promoted heteronormative practices such as naming a prom king and prom queen, requiring strict gender conformity in dress, etc.As Americans gained more money and leisure time in the 1950s, proms became more extravagant and elaborate, bearing similarity to today’s proms. The high school gym may have been an acceptable setting for sophomore dances (soph hop), but junior prom and senior balls gradually moved to hotel ballrooms and country clubs. Competition blossomed, as teens strove to have the best dress, the best mode of transportation, and the best looking date. Competition for the prom court also intensified, as the designation of “prom queen” became an important distinction of popularity. In a way, prom became the pinnacle event of a high school student’s life, the ultimate dress rehearsal for a wedding.Today, prom continues to be a notable event in the social climate of high schools. Popular movies and novels attest to the importance of prom themes, prom dates, and prom queens. In some areas, the traditions of prom are not as rigid as they used to be, with some areas allowing individuals or groups to attend instead of couples. In 1975 U.S. First Daughter Susan Ford held her prom in the East Roomof the White House.TerminologyUsage of the term “prom” is becoming more common and appears to be a colloquial and regional practice. Formal English usage suggests "Prom" is a noun and should be preceded by an article although it often is not in practice."Prom" is a shortened version of promenade.AttireGirl in formal prom attire, United States, 1950sBoys usually dress in black or white formal wear, regardless of the time of the event, sometimes paired with ties or bow ties with vests, in some cases in colors matching their date’s dress. Most are rented from stores that specialize in formal wear rentals.Girls wear traditional ladies' dresses or evening gowns and adorn themselves with ladies’ jewelry such as earrings and a necklace. Traditionally girls wear perfume, and make-up such as eyeshadow, lipstick and blush. Girls also wear a corsage, given to them by their dates, and girls give boys matching boutonnières to be worn on their lapels. Some couples want to match their dates dress color to their tie or suit. Some fashion houses within the industry have a special focus in the prom and evening wear sector.Logistics and traditionsGirl beside a limousine before PromProm attendees may be limited by their schools to be juniors or seniors and guests under age 21.Before prom, girls typically get their hair styled, often in groups as a social activity at a salon. Prom couples then gather at a park, garden, or their own and their dates’ houses for single and/or group photographs. Prom attendees may rent limousinesor party busesto transport groups of friends from their homes to the prom venue: a banquet hall or school gymnasium. Some schools host their proms at hotel ballrooms or other venues where weddings typically take place. The dance itself may have a band or DJ. At prom, a meal may be served. The cost of prom in the United States averaged $1078 per family in 2012 and $1139 in 2013.Some high schools allow only the graduating class (Seniors) to have a prom. Some schools also allow grade 11 (Juniors) to have a prom, and select high schools even have proms for Freshmen and Sophomores. In some cases there is a combined Junior/Senior prom. Some American high schools and colleges that do not allow school-sponsored dances will host a Junior/Senior prom as a banquet instead of a dance. Typically, students still dress in formal attire and attend as couples. More and more colleges are hosting proms in recent years, usually as fundraisers for campus organizations such as Ballroom Dance groups, fraternities/sororities, or other organizations. In recent years, American teens have started asking celebrities or famous models to their Proms.Post PromAfter the prom, parents or a community may host a “prom after-party” or “afterglow” or “post-prom” at a restaurant, entertainment venue, or a student’s home. Other traditions often include trips to nearby attractions, such as amusement parks, regional or local parks, or family or rented vacation houses. Some of these post-prom events are chaperoned and some are unsupervised. Many Post Proms (After Prom Events) are at the school, and involve bringing entertainment such as interactive games, artists, and other entertainers to the school.In the United KingdomStudents and their parents in the prom night, EnglandIn the United Kingdom prior to the 2000s, many secondary schools held a "Summer Ball" to celebrate the end of term, and/or "Leavers Ball" to celebrate the end of schooling, but usually this did not have the cultural or social significance of the US-style Prom. From the 1970s there had also been a tradition of "School Discos", which were semi-formal events held at various times of the year, in particular during the Christmas period, though not all secondary schools would allow such events or "do's".During the 2000s, school "Proms" have become common at UK schools, apparently due to the influence of US TV showsThe Daily Telegraphreported in 2012 that:“elaborate 'passing out' celebrations for Year 11 students (aged 15–16) and Year 13 (aged 17–18) have become a cultural phenomenon, stoking passions and rivalries, and refashioning the sense of what a school party should be. More than 85 per cent of schools in Britain hold school Proms, which range from no-frills dinners in school halls to tailor-made extravaganzas in five-star hotels with such extras as ice- cream vans and photo booths.”Schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland predominantly hold their Prom, or "School Formal", at the end of secondary education in Year 11 (ages 15/16) and the end of Sixth Form (aged 18), for those who have continued school.In Scotland it is usually only held at the end of S6 (ages 17/18) because all high schools in Scotland have pupils up to age 18 years, whereas elsewhere in the UK many students have to go to college to study for A-Levels. Proms are usually held in June, after the end of year exams. At Scottish formal events, boys usually wear kilts (kilts are also often seen in the other Celtic regions) and Highland dress outfitters often sell out in an area around this time of year due to demand from school events. Also in Scotland it is customary for traditional Scottish country dancing (part of the curriculum of all secondary schools) to be included.Related social gatherings elsewhereAfricaIn Egypt, private schools have proms similar to ones held in the United States but with slight differences. The prom is held for a maximum of 3 hours, where teachers attend and enjoy some time with their students. Then there is the "after-prom", where no teachers or parents are allowed, during that time, the real party begins with all the students dancing and enjoying their time. The after prom can continue to 4 am and 5 am.In South Africa, the equivalent of the American prom is the Matric Dance, taking place during the matriculation (i.e., final) year of high school (12th grade). It takes place towards the end of the third quarter, shortly before the spring break, after which the matriculation examinations commence. It usually takes the form of a formal dinner and dance. In most schools, the 11th grade class is responsible for arranging the event. Sometimes teachers and parents also attend.In Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and Tanzania most private schools with expatriates have proms or “end of year socials.”In Zambia, private schools have a "leavers' dance/dinner" that is planned out by the grade 11 class and takes place on the Saturday after the Friday of their graduation ceremony. The dance is planned for the grade 12 class as well as the upper sixth form class and is normally done the 1st Friday after both of the classes are done writing their A Level and IGCSE examinations. The dinner begins at 7pm and the grade 11 class pose as the servers as well as the entertainment throughout the duration of the dinner. The dinner ends at midnight and is followed by the "after party" which is celebrated at another venue (usually a club) with no parents and no teachers. Costs for renting out the venue are covered by selling tickets to outsiders and the party is usually planned by the graduating classes themselves.AsiaIn Afghanistan there is a lunch party organized by the graduating students and called "graduation party." This is mostly seen in the university level graduation after the 16th class with a bachelor's degree, this day all the University seniors, faculty members and professors are invited as honors. There is no mingling of males and females due to strict adherence to the Islamic codes.In Hong Kong, prom culture is inherited from the western countries and is generally called ball, such as Christmas Ball. This usually takes place during Christmas and Summer Break. This is more popular in the secondary education stage rather than in universities. Schools, apart from international schools, holding proms are usually single-sex school where normally the Student Unions in the schools will cooperate each other in organizing the event. In recent years, more and more individual unions got united and formed different student unions associations so as to organize large-scale events including large joint-school proms. Except those proms within the academic field, there are also adult proms for charity yearly where celebrities and government officers always go to these functions.In India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal, the equivalent to some extent is a farewell party or farewell gathering. The outgoing students are given a warm send-off by the junior students and staff. All the seniors are felicitated with souvenirs and superlatives are given awards. There are also couple dances due to influence of American culture and movies in India.In Israel, high school graduation parties usually combine a play and a humble ceremony, followed by a dance party. In the past years, influenced by American culture, more and more graduates decide to hold a private graduation party similar to the American prom, with dress code, prom dates, limousines, and prom kings or queens, although usually not supported by the school.In Lebanon, proms are held after the graduation ceremony at night. They are usually held at hotels with a formal dress code, prom dates, rented cars and, occasionally, prom kings and queens.In Singapore, proms are held at the near end of a senior year for secondary schools. Proms are normally held after the final examinations of all senior students before graduating.In Malaysia, proms are gaining in popularity, especially in the bigger cities. However, these gatherings are usually organized by students, and the school administration is not involved.In Pakistan, there is a farewell dinner or farewell function that takes place at the end of the college academic year. Particularly in A-Levels people may bring a prom date and students dress in formal attire. Girls are given a corsage by their Prom Dates and the event ends with a photography session with the Graduating batch.In the Philippines, proms are popular in high schools. Prom usually takes place in the junior and senior years of high school, which is normally around February or March. Proms are commonly known as “JS Prom”, or, junior–senior prom. Conversely, if a high school has separate dances for juniors and seniors, the term "prom" is reserved for the juniors, and the dance for the seniors is called a "graduation ball" (often abbreviated as "grad ball" or simply "ball".) The associated student body generally organizes the event. Usually a prom king and queen are chosen. The basis for the king and queen judgment is the beauty and the fashion of the nominee, not the popularity.In Vietnam, the equivalent to the prom is called liên hoan cuối năm. Some schools hold their liên hoan cuối năm at restaurants. But, majority of schools prefer simple "tea parties" with snacks and soft drinks inside their classrooms. In the high schools at rural countrysides, they don't celebrate at all. Unlike other countries, the students don't dress up in fancy dresses or tuxedos. Sometimes, they just simply wear school uniform to the tea parties.EuropeThis section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)AlbaniaIn Albania, "mbrëmja e maturës", as graduation night, is the event held at the end of the senior year. Every school organizes it independently and the event usually takes place in May. Ceremonially it is very similar to prom nights in the United States.Czech RepublicIn the Czech Republic, the last year in Gymnasium is celebrated with maturitní ples (“graduation ball”). This ball takes place before exams are taken, usually in January or February, the traditional season for balls during the Fasching (e.g., List of balls in Vienna). Normally, balls are formal but modern elements are included, too. The students invite their parents, other relatives and friends to come to the ball with them. The balls usually have a theme and the classes perform choreographed dance routines at the beginning or during the evening. The students also receive a ribbon. It's common that various artists are invited to perform at the ball, ranging from fireshow performers to famous celebrities. At the midnight, the classes perform "midnight surprise performance" – typically some sort of funny act. Sometimes several schools organize a joint event. The income is often used to finance a collective voyage of the students after the exams.BulgariaIn Bulgaria, the ball is called abiturientski bal and is held at the end of 12th grade, when you are aged 18/19. Preparations for the ball begin at the end of the 11th grade, because students are supposed to organize the whole event. It is celebrated in May, mainly on the 23rd, 24th or 25th, after finishing exams. Students can bring a date to the event which is usually held in a restaurant or a club. Usually, before the main event there is a big gathering in front of the high school’s building, where graduates count to 12 (as in 12 grades) and take photos with each other before going to the restaurant called izprashtane (“dispatchment”). At the main event in the restaurant/hotel, there is music, usually pop and retro. Students are free to dance with whomever they want, even if they have come with a date. There is usually an afterparty at a dance club. Some people even organize a second afterparty. After the prom night, students usually go to an excursion together for 3 to 5 days. The popular destinations are the Black sea coast and Turkey. The event is often associated with excess in drinking, drugs, sex and lavish nouveau-riche style of dressing and parading (there are families that would spend as much as a year's salary on their son or daughter' s night). The media regularly criticize it, deploring decadence of morals.BeneluxIn Belgium, as well as in some parts of the Netherlands, senior students celebrate their last 100 days of high school with a special day called Chrysostomos or 100-dagen feest (“100-days party”). Tradition states that on this winter day, seniors are allowed to pull pranks on their teachers and fellow students. Some schools handle a theme as dresscode, while others go for the traditional outfit: blue jeans, a black cotton jacket, a black hat (with a red or blue ribbon) and a whistle around the neck. Some even paint their faces and some seniors also carry a spray can (shaving cream or other fluids) to “attack” the non-seniors with. A noisy march through town is also part of the gig. Later during the day, students perform an act at school, usually a silly show involving school or a parody. In the evening, students head to a rented club to party. This involves dancing, singing and lots of beer to get a taste of fraternity life. Sometimes even teachers join the party to show that they too have a wild side. In the Netherlands, households where a child who has passed their high school exams often hang the student's backpack on a flagpole which is attached to the front of the house.Former YugoslaviaIn Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia, matursko veče (maturalna večer and maturska večer), as graduation night, is the event held at the end of the senior year. It is similar to prom night in the United States. In Croatia, it is sometimes held in January or February, as in Austria.DenmarkIn Denmark, the prom is called galla and takes place before the exams begin. The word galla refers to the dress code which is long dresses for the women and suits for the men. The prom in Denmark is well known for keeping the traditional dance Les Lanciers, where the third graders of high school (the seniors) start the whole dance, then the 1st and 2nd graders join later on (the high school, called "gymnasium" in Denmark, is three years).EstoniaIn Estonia, the equivalent of the prom is often called Saja päeva ball. The event takes place 100 days prior to the graduation and may be organized with several schools altogether. Students can dance but other events may be involved, too, besides ball room dancing. The clothes are much the same kind as in proms of other countries.FinlandIn Finland, the equivalent of the prom is called vanhojen tanssit (senior ball). The event is held in February when third-year high school students (the abi) end regular classes in order to prepare for their final abitur exams, and the second year students become the oldest in the school. For the remainder of the school year, the second year students are called vanhat ("the old", or " the seniors"). For the ball, the students learn 10–15 formal dances, mostly old ballroom dances such as the mazurkaor a polonaise. In the past, the style was to dress in an old-fashioned way, but these days the attire is similar to U.S. proms.FranceCouple of students in ParisIn France, high school students have only recently experienced prom. On June 27, 2013, more than 300 students in Paris, France held a prom. Event planning company White-Tie-Affair partnered up with multiple local companies to host the “Solidarity Prom Ball” charity gala. Food, drinks, venue, limousine as well as gift bags were sponsored by the different companies and provided for the students for free. On top of that, famous French music groups Psy4 de la Rime and Alibi Montana were the guest performance of the evening. All proceeds from the students’ entrance fee were donated to Donnons Leur Une Chance, a French non-profit organization that will help realize educational projects.GermanyIn Germany (and Austria), students celebrate their graduation from high school, or Gymnasium, with an Abifeier (from the graduation certificate or Abitur) or Maturaball (in Austria the graduation exam is called Matura). In Germany the events are informal and usually contain a series of student-organized activities that tend to make fun of teachers, sometimes with an extended hagiography about the favorite teacher. In Austria the Maturaball is formal and can be seen as a synergy of proms and cotillions and often are highlights of the regional ball season (between November and the end of Carneval) referencing the glamour of the great ball tradition of the former Austrian-Hungarian monarchy. More like the prom is the German Abiball, that follows the official graduation ceremony. Here the students usually wear suits and ball gowns. The Abiball often follows a certain order with a welcome, introductions, an award ceremony for students and sometimes an extended demonstration of all of the artistic outpourings of the students and staff. This is followed by a band (sometimes the school's own band, if there is any) or a DJ playing music, usually starting with a waltz before moving on to other dancing. Alcohol is available at these events since the legal drinking age in Germany is 16 (for beer and wine), and most graduating students are 18 or older.HungaryIn Hungary, students receive a ribbon to mark the beginning of the preparation for their graduation. Students receive this ribbon at a ball called "szalagavató", meaning the "inauguration of ribbons". Many of the students wear this ribbon on their jackets or shirts until graduation. This prom-like evening dance is traditionally held in the ball season of January–February, but November-December has gained popularity in recent years as well. At the beginning of the ball, after a short speech by the headteacher, each student gets the ribbon from their form teacher who pins it on their jacket or dress. Then a series of choreographed dances begins, which the students learned during the months leading up to the event. The first one is traditionally a dance called "palotás" (palace dance) performed by students from different classes, then each graduating class performs their own class dance, and finally there's a waltz, which is also performed by students from different classes. Occasionally, the teachers of the school perform a dance as well. After the ball of the evening organised by the school, students usually go out at night to drink to bars and discos, even if some of them are below drinking age (18 in Hungary).After they graduate, each class has its own party (without choreographed dances) usually at a restaurant, where their teachers are also invited. This is called "érettségi bankett" (graduation banquet).IrelandIn Ireland, this formal dance is called the débutantes' ball. This is referred to as the "grad", or, informally, debs in Ireland. This is a formal dance for students who have just graduated from secondary school (high school) and is traditionally held between September and October. Alcohol is available at these events.ItalyIn Italy the equivalent is known as "i cento giorni" (the one hundred days), an unofficial party organised by students themselves in a location of their choice 100 days before the final exams before high school graduation. Usually the party is not held with all graduating students, rather every class organizes a separated party to celebrate with classmates. The tradition of "i cento giorni" comes from Piedmontese military schools in the late 1800, where days remaining to graduation were counted starting from the 100th with the locution "Mak Π 100", from Piedmontese language "mac pì 100", translating as "just more 100 (days remaining)."LithuaniaIn Lithuania, the prom is held after final exams, usually the same day when high school diplomas are presented. The event is called išleistuvės.NorwayIn Norway, this event varies from school to school. It is usually held during the winter months, and is often called "Nyttårsball" which means "the new years ball." The students are not allowed to bring people from outside the school. In Norway it is the norm to have proms for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders at Norwegian middleschool and most of the time, there is no division between formal and grad – students can attend in whatever clothing they choose, such as traditional knee-long dresses.PolandIn Poland, the prom (studniówka) is a very popular event held each year throughout the country; the word itself means "of or relating to 100 days". Most schools organise such an event about 100 days before the (matura) exams. The first dance of the prom is the polonaise, a traditional Polish dance. Traditionally, the dress code for the studniówka was a typical school outfit, i.e. a white blouse with a dark skirt or trousers. As opposed to the studniówka, the so-called Grand Ball ("bal maturalny") was held after graduation, formal attire required. Nowadays, as Grand Balls are rare, the studniówka has adopted a formal dress code.PortugalIn Portugal there's no prom tradition. Very rarely proms are held. Usually they happen before the end of the school year, in May or June and are called "Baile de Finalistas" (Finalist's Ball). The students wear formal suits and dresses. It is usually organised by a student association, elected in the beginning of the school year by the students to organise school events.RomaniaIn Romania distinct proms are held each year in high schools and college for both the graduating students as well as the newly enrolled ones. They are called graduation balls and freshmen ("boboci", meaning "hatchlings" in Romanian) balls, respectivelly. They are usually not black tie (informal). The venue is chosen by the teaching staff and can be any place, including the school gym or auditorium, a club, restaurant etc. It is common to charge students an admission tax in order to offset the cost. One or more bands or singers are usually hired to provide entertainment. Often the event is sponsored by local businesses. Access is usually controlled and limited to students of that particular high school or university, but exceptions can be made for relatives and it is not uncommon for students from other institutions to try to crash a particular prom. Freshmen proms usually include a popularity contest of some sort, which designates 3 girls and 3 boys as places I, II and III "most popular" as chosen by student vote; the candidates have to undergo various entertaining challenges, which usually include pair dancing. Generally speaking, freshmen proms are the more popular, with college freshmen proms often being publicized as club events and promoted by radio stations, who take the opportunity to introduce bands and singers. Whereas graduation proms are more subdued and often not a public or even a school-wide event, many graduating classes choosing to restrict attendance just to the actual graduates and their teachers.Belarus, Ukraine and RussiaIn Russia, Belarus and Ukraine proms are called "Vypusknоi vechеr" (Выпускной вечер), which literally means "evening of graduation." They take place from the 18th to the 20th or the 23rd to the 25th of June, after all state exams are completed. Proms are never held on the 21st/22nd because they took place on June 21 in 1941, but on the 22nd all graduates were drafted to fight the German invasion during World War II. First, all graduates receive their attestats (or diplomas). Students with higher marks receive them first. Afterward, the prom continues as a school ball, traditionally with classic dances. Students may choose restaurants, cafes, or ships rather than school grounds to hold the events. Proms may be held in a Discothèque, but it must start with the school waltz. At the conclusion of the prom evening, it is tradition to walk the whole night and watch sunrise in the morning (on a hill, if applicable, in Moscow – Sparrow Hills).SlovakiaIn Slovakia, the closest thing to a prom is Stužková, an occasion when the seniors get together with their parents, partners and teachers to celebrate their upcoming graduation. It takes place in November or December. Each of the students receives a green ribbon with their name on it (thus the name Stužková, the Ribbon Ball). The principal and the class teacher are given big green ribbons as well. Many of the students wear this ribbon on their jackets or shirts until graduation. Stužková typically includes a banquet, skits and songs prepared by students, and, of course, dancing. Men wear formal suits and women formal dresses. One week before Stužková is a ceremony of Pečatenie triednej knihy (Sealing of the Class-register) so that teachers will not give bad marks to students before Stužková. It is connected with some story and recorded by cameraman and then put on a DVD of Stužková. It usually starts at 6 p.m. and ends in the early hours of the next morning (4a.m.).SloveniaIn Slovenia, the equivalent is Maturantski ples. It is held before the final exams between January and May, depending on the region and school. Students can bring dates and/or close family to the ball. It is a custom that each student dances the last dance of the first sequence, a Vienna Walzer, with his mother/her father. There is also a dinner and live music.SpainIn some places in Spain proms are also celebrated as parties after school. This parties are called commonly "fiestas de graduación".SwedenIn Sweden, this kind of event is usually known as Studentbalen. The word "Studentbalen" is a proper noun meaning "The Student Ball," while the word studentbal is a common noun that can refer to any formal dinner and dance at a Swedish university. Studentbalen is usually held during the final weeks before graduating and can be formal.SwitzerlandThe Swiss equivalent of a prom is the bal de printemps.[28]Literally translated, this is a "Spring Ball." At some schools in the German speaking cantons, it is called "Maturaball." This is not always organized by the schools, but sometimes by a student's committee. It takes mostly part before the final exams.TurkeyIn Turkey, the equivalent is called "Graduation Ball." The type of event and the rules applied are created by the student governments and school boards. It is a graduation tradition for seniors.OceaniaIn Australia and New Zealand, the tradition is similar to schools in the United States. However, if the event is not described to the final year, it may be described as a Ball, School Formal, or simply Formal. If the event is in the final year of high school, it is sometimes called a Dinner-dance, Leavers' Dinner or Debutante Ball but is also commonly called a School Formal or "Formal." In Australia some schools may also have a Valedictory Dinner, which is like the formal but has students, parents and teachers instead of students and dates.As the name suggests, attire for the occasion is generally formal. Boys will usually dress in a suit and tie. Girls traditionally wear formal gowns or dresses. In most cases a school formal is held at a local reception centre or ballroom. A multicourse meal is generally provided. After the meal students generally dance to popular music played by a hired DJ or sometimes a band. Many students group together to go to the formal in a limousine. While parents do not attend a formal, teachers may act as chaperones for the formal and security guards are sometimes hired. The use of chaperones is intended to prevent the occurrence of violence and alcohol or drug use. Generally after a formal, one or more after-parties are held.In addition to the high school graduation "formal" that marks the end of Year 12, there is also an event that is sometimes held to celebrate completing the School Certificate at the end of Year 10 (or Year 11 in New Zealand), and always held after receiving Higher School Certificate at the end of Year 12 and includes a dinner and dance. The NSW Government announced the abolition of the School Certificate after 2011, with students in year 10 that year being the final cohort to sit the external examinations and receive the qualification. Subsequent Year 10 "Formals" have been deemed "unnecessary" due to the fact that the majority of Year 10 students now progress to Year 11. In previous years when 25–30% of students left high school in Year 10, the Formal was seen as a celebration for those departing, however Year 10 Formals are still sometimes celebrated in the name of tradition. In year 11, students occasionally organise a "semi-formal" or "social" at the end of the school year, which is a more casual version of a formal. If a school has a sister school the social is typically organised in conjunction with them, as a "social event" for people to mingle and meet new people. The Valedictory Dinner (or Val as it is colloquially called) is an event that only occurs in Year 12. In New Zealand, most state school balls are held in the winter months, between June and August, while in Australia, a "formal" is held at the end of the year to mark the end of schooling, as is the Valedictory Dinner. Due to cultural differences, in New Zealand these 'balls' may be held consistently each year with the appropriate respect, but except for private schools they tend to be far less formal and 'proper' than in the US or Australia.In American Samoa the typical Junior/Senior prom is held in most of the schools, an exception would be one of the private schools, which lets even 8th graders, freshmen, and sophomores participate in prom.Central and South America and the CaribbeanIn Venezuela, they have prom as well, they call it "graduación" o "fiesta de graduación." It can consist of dancing, dinner and live music.In Argentina there are "fiestas de egresados" for students finishing their last year of high school. These consist of big parties hosted by the senior students in local discos or other venues, starting at 10 p.m. until about 5 or 6 in the morning. They have dinner with parents and other members of the family, and after midnight friends and other guests join the dance. The parties start in late September, after most students come back from their senior trip to Bariloche and last until early December, after the graduation. The students dress formally.In Brazil, bailes de formatura are usual at the end of high school and at college graduation. There is no crowning of a "king" or a "queen," but evening gowns and suits are required. Family may or may not be included, and there may be a live band or DJ hired to command the music.In Chile, proms, or "fiestas de graduación" (graduation parties), are usually held at convention centers or hotels after the "licenciatura," or graduation from High School. They can also be held after taking the PSU (Chilean University Entrance Exam) in December. Students are expected to dress formally. They are allowed to go with dates or friends. After the dinner,the dance continues through the night into the next day.In Colombia many private schools usually have prom balls as well, usually consisting of a dinner, dancing, live music, and contests. They are usually held at hotels or clubs.In Costa Rica, like many other American countries, the "Baile de graduación" is celebrated after finishing High School, where grade 11 is also the last year. It usually takes place before graduation to celebrate the end of school. It's normally held in hotels or saloons with a dance floor, music and dinner. It starts with the students walking through the dance floor and dancing a waltz. The dinner comes after, and the rest of the night consists of dancing and celebration.In Honduras, they are called "Cena de Graduacion", they are held in luxury hotels, also familiars of the graduating students are invited. This event is held only for private schools, the act consists on a formal graduation and deliver of their diplomas, after that, a dinner is held between the graduating students and their familiars or friends in the same room which later will become in a dance floor for everyone.In Peru, proms—"Fiestas de Promoción"—are usually held at hotels, convention centers, or big residences. The dress code is formal. Some parents and teachers are often invited, but they don't stay the whole night. Dinner is served as well as alcoholic drinks and delicatessen. Breakfast is often served the next day, at around 6–7 am. There is a growing tradition to hold a "Pre-Prom" for the students in the class below the graduating class, and even a "Pre-pre-Prom" for the students in the class below that.In Mexico, most High Schools and Junior High (Middle School) have proms only allow the graduating class (Seniors) to have a prom, after a Church service for the graduating class. The students dress in Formal wear and attend in couples. Some Colleges have an after Graduation dinner dance.In Trinidad and Tobago and most Caribbean countries, it is traditional for schools to hold a dance at the end of the CXC/GCE Advanced Level examination period. This is thrown simultaneously for fifth form and upper sixth form students during the months of June or July after the school's official graduation ceremony. It is colloquially referred to as "grad" or "gradz." Most "gradz" are held in popular clubs, hotels, halls or simply on the school's grounds. Most schools allow students to bring dates, and a formal dress code is usually in effect.In Uruguay, graduation parties are usually held after graduation itself. They may or may be not organised by the school, but by the students itself. Usually a place is rented, and formal parties are held. Students are allowed to take one guest, as a friend or as a partner.Homeschool promsThe concept of extending prom to homeschool students has been realized in recent years. Although some school districts in the United States and Canada allow homeschool students to attend the prom in the school district where they reside, many homeschool groups also organize their own proms. Some states, such as Oregon, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, and Michigan, also host statewide homeschool proms, which any homeschool student in that state is welcome to attend.Proms that are specifically geared toward homeschool students can sometimes be significantly different from traditional high school proms. It is not uncommon for a homeschool student to attend a homeschool prom solo, rather than taking a date. Often the music played is chosen by the parents rather than the students.Adult promsAn adult prom is a social event that is almost perfectly similar to a high school prom in terms of themes and attire, except that some adult proms also serve alcoholic beverages, and therefore most adult proms (at least in the U.S.) require those attending to be at least 21 years of age. The origin of adult prom is unclear, though Drew Barrymore is often credited with inadvertenly inventing the concept in the 1990s, when she stated in an interview on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that she threw a prom party for herself and a few friends who never got to go to prom.In the novel Nobody's Property, character Mallorie Walcott, an event planner, mentions that she helped put her younger daughter Cassandra through college, in part, from the revenue she made from planning adult proms in the 1990s either for people who missed their actual high school proms in the 1970s and 1980s, or simply wanted to re-live their prom night.They have become increasingly common, especially in the United States, and usually are hosted either as fundraisers for charities, or for-profit ventures.A slightly different take on the adult prom is that of the disabilities prom, dedicated to providing a prom experience to disabled adults at no charge to the attendees. These events are most often organized by non-profit organizations focusing on the disabled, or large churches.[30]Other prom-themed eventsSometimes, individuals re-create a prom-themed party either for themselves or a friend who didn't get to attend his or her prom.Drew Barrymore has been known to host "prom parties" on at least two occasions, having once stated in an interview with Conan O'Brien in the late 1990s that she threw one for herself one time because she had always wanted a prom, but didn't get the chance, having not finished high school. In 2007, Barrymore threw a prom-themed birthday party for a close friend who had missed her senior prom.In 2009, friends, family members, and hospital workers in Atlanta, Georgia re-created a prom for then-senior Raven Johnson, who was in a coma at the time of her original senior prom.In 2010, Theatrical producers in New York produced an audience participation theatrical play, set in an actual dance hall, called The Awesome 80s Prom, where attendees were at a prom and got to vote on the king and queen from the cast of characters.Anti-proms and alternative promsAnti-proms can be private, unofficial proms that are privately created, outside the control of the school, usually by people who disagree with their school's prom policies. Some schools also include the "Anti Prom" as an official event called MORP (Prom spelled backwards). MORP has become increasingly popular due to the raised awareness and incredible effort on behalf of Kristina Siegert, Esegent Lemma, and Mary Boyd from Belleville, Ontario who refused to participate in the 2017 Prom at Nicholson Catholic College.Adult proms for gay and lesbian adults who could not attend their proms with a date of the same sex are popular in some cities. A 1980 court decision required public schools to allow same-sex dates in the United States.ControversiesOver the course of history, proms have been the source of many controversies, many of which involve LGBT students.In 2002, gay teenager Marc Hall was prohibited from taking his male date to his high school's dance; Hall sued the school board and won.[35]In 2009, Tyler Frost was suspended for attending his girlfriend's prom, because his Christian high school disallowed dancing.[36] Although the principal at Frost's school signed a paper allowing Frost to attend the prom, he said Frost would be suspended if he went, but Frost did so anyway.In a 2010 Itawamba County School District prom controversy, lesbian high school senior Constance McMillen requested to take her girlfriend to the prom at Itawamba Agricultural High School in Fulton, Mississippi, where they were both students. The principal denied her request and prohibited her from wearing a tuxedo. When McMillen challenged the school's policy, the prom was canceled, leading McMillen to sue the school.[37] Following a court decision forcing the school to hold the prom, local parents organized a second prom in secret, leaving Constance, her girlfriend and only 5 other students at the official prom.[38]In 2014, student Katie Bialy from Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School (St. Catharines) with the genetic condition Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) was not allowed to go to prom by her school principal Denice Robertson because her grades were not as good as required and she could not graduate.[39] Her condition had impaired her ability to do schoolwork and she asked the principal if she could go as a guest, but the principal refused her the option. This incident has resulted in public support for Bialy in social media and also increased awareness of her condition.In popular cultureIn MoviesThis section may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)YearTitle1948A Date with Judy1976Carrie1979Going Steady1980Prom Night1983Valley Girl1984Footloose1985Back to the Future1986Pretty in Pink1987Crazy Love1988Dance 'til Dawn1990Book of Love1993My Boyfriend's Back199910 Things I Hate About YouAmerican PieDrive Me CrazyJawbreakerNever Been KissedShe's All That2002Carrie2004Mean Girls2008Bart Got a RoomProm NightTwilightProm Wars2009Miss MarchCabin Fever 2: Spring Fever2011PromTeen Spirit2013CarrieOn Documentary filmsThis section may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)YearTitle2006The World's Best Prom2008American Teen2009Prom Night in MississippiOn TVThis section may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)YearEpisodeTV series1990The PromSaved by the Bell1993A Night to RememberBeverly Hills, 90210Promises PromisesRoseanne1995Angels on the AirTouched by an Angel1996The One with the Prom VideoFriends1997The ProphecyBuffy the Vampire Slayer1998Fools Rush Out in Party of FiveParty of FiveProm-ises, Prom-isesBoy Meets World1999The PromBuffy the Vampire SlayerProm NightThat '70s Show2001PromicideDawson's CreekHeart of MineRoswell2006Best Prom EverHow I Met Your MotherThe Party FavorThe O.C.Look Who's StalkingVeronica Mars2007Prom Night at Hater HighOne Tree Hill2008We Built This CityDegrassi: The Next GenerationI've Had the Time of My LifeKyle XY2009Valley GirlsGossip Girl2010The Prom Before the Storm90210Prom WreckerVictorious2011Prom QueenGlee2015Last DancePretty Little Liars2017MTV TV SeriesPromposalMusicThis section may be in need of reorganization to comply with Wikipedia's layout guidelines. Please help by editing the article to make improvements to the overall structure. (April 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)YearSongArtist1958A Date With JerryWanda Jackson1990Promnight in PigtownJohn Gorka2000Teenage DirtbagWheatus2008A Night to RememberHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year2009Plain JaneB.J. ThomasSee alsoFurther readingReferencesCategories