This year, OHS plans to expand their horizons by hosting the 2017 Prom at Metropolitan Ballroom rather than the Carlson Towers, which has been a tradition for years. Although the years at Carlson led to very successful proms, a change in location is bringing excitement to the Prom committee staff as well as the students at OHS.

“It is similar to an early 1900s nightclub. It has a very warm feeling to it, which means it is very different from Carlson,” Prom committee advisor Grace Nohner said.

Although Metropolitan has a different feel to it than Carlson, most of the students on Prom committee seemed to be excited about the location and how it will fit the theme perfectly.

“I think it is a really cool space for prom and the decision to switch venues was the right one,” junior Braeden Christensen said.

Carlson recently stopped hosting special events because it became too much, which left the Prom committee of 2016 back to the drawing board with venues. Nohner decided to take some of the kids out to see different venues in hopes of finding one that most of the students agreed with.

“We were skeptical when we first walked into Metropolitan, but as we walked around more, we saw the potential for a unique and fun venue,” Nohner said.

With Metropolitan Ballroom, there is Damico catering, a stage for DJ’s, a roomy dance floor, and a lot of extra hangout space which is different from the Carlson Towers. It gives the students more options on what to do as well as more room for everyone, rather than being crowded in one room.

“The main downside to Metropolitan is that there is not a space outside to take pictures, unlike the fountain that was outside of Carlson Towers,” junior Jane Guidera said.

All venues have pro’s and con’s to them, and the only downside that had been mentioned from students and teachers was the fact that there is no outside hang out area. However, there is much more room on the inside for a more comfortable fit, and there are different rooms to explore, each with a different feel to it.

After speaking to students and teachers involved with prom, it is clear that there is a lot of excitement and anticipation regarding Metropolitan. The cool, old-fashion vibe is much different from Carlson, but the change will be something new and fun for everyone. Metropolitan has a little bit of everything, which has the potential to offer something for all the students within the school.