Prom is a formal dance tradition in American and Canadian high schools attended by juniors and seniors. Before prom, girls and their dates take pictures wearing formal dresses and tuxedos. Boys give their dates corsages and girls give boys boutineers. Driving to prom is an important part of the experience for many American teenagers who can drive at age 16. Prom is meant to be a special event where memories are made through photos, recognition of a king and queen, and spending time with friends.

1. PROM
An American high school tradition

2. Prom – short
for promenade
– has been a
tradition in
high schools in
America and
Canada.

3. The formal
dance is
typically
attended by
juniors (11th
form) and
seniors (12th
form).
Before the
prom, girls
and their
dates usually
take pictures
at their
parents’
homes or a
nearby park.

4. Girls usually
wear formal
dresses, and
boys wear
tuxedos.
Sometimes,
boys will
wear bow
ties or
straight ties.
If he wears a
vest with his
suit, it is
traditionally
called a
“three-piece
suit.”

5. While
taking
pictures, a
boy will give
his date a
corsage.

6. Girls will
give the
boys
boutineers.

7. Pinning the
boutineer
onto the
boy’s jacket
is more
difficult
than it
seems!

8. In America,
teenagers
can drive at
age 16.
Driving to
prom is
often a
VERY
important
part of the
experience.

9. Sometimes
getting into
the car is
difficult
when
wearing
those big
dresses!

10. Sometimes
groups of
friends will
rent a
limousine.

11. For some
teens,
wearing
dresses and
tuxes isn’t
enough fun.
So, they also
wear
costumes .


12. Some of
them even
make their
own dresses.
Being an
individual is
very
important.

13. Dact tape
dress and
tuxedo.
The
company
that makes
this tape
has a
contest
every year.
The winners
get a
scholarship
to college.

14. At prom,
there is
usually a
professional
photographer.

15. Near the
end of the
dance, one
boy and one
girl will be
crowned
Prom King
and Queen.
The
students
vote for who
will be King
and Queen.

16. Prom can be
a very
special time
with many
special
memories.