This year’s prom, themed Arabian Nights, will take place tonight at the Silicon Valley Capital Club from 8:30 p.m. to midnight. Changes made by Prom Committee this year will include transforming the layout of the venue and ramping up decorations.

While in past years the event has taken place at various venues, prom was moved to the Silicon Valley Capital Club last year to create a more enclosed, private environment.

MaryEllis Deacon, head of Prom Committee, described some major changes to this year’s event.

“They are keeping a lot of the same traditions — the photo booth, the big formal photos, but they are also opening it a lot,” she said. “They are amping up the decorations a lot too, I’ll leave it at that.”

Senior Connie Li, a member of the Decorations Committee, discussed the process of setting up the venue and differences in the decor from last year.

“We visited the location last week, and we set up everything. We had to do that because usually we pass the plans on, but last year the organization wasn’t all that great because everyone was crammed in the same room for photos,” she said.

Other changes were made this concerning the food served at the event.

“We are going for less candies because last year’s feedback was for less sweet foods and more diverse tastes,” said Adarsh Battu (12), a member of Food Committee.

Maneesha Panja (12), also a member of Food Committee, talked about some of the special surprises in store for students.

“We are going to have a color-themed candy bar where everyone can take some candy home with them at the end of the night,” she said. “Just like last year, there will be cool raffles that guests can put their tickets in to win different prizes, like Mr. Nikoloff’s parking spot and a suite at senior trip, amongst other things.”

Attendance has been steadily increasing since last year, with last year’s prom attendance hitting the 300 mark, and this year’s expected to do the same.

This piece was originally published in the pages of The Winged Post on May 16, 2014.