PROMENADE (REFLECTION PAPER)

Prom is a cherished milestone for many high school students, a night that every girl
dreams of, where she feels like a princess, surrounded by her closest friends, dancing
under glittering lights and creating memories that will last a lifetime. But even as we twirl
in our fancy dresses and laugh with our friends, there's a quiet part of us that's thinking
about the bigger picture. It's a night that makes us realize how much we've grown, how
much we've learned, and how much we've changed since we first walked through the
doors of senior high school. It's a night that fills us with a mix of excitement and a little bit
of pressure as we realize it's a time for something new. It's a night where we forget about
the stress of school and all the problems we've been facing, and just focus on enjoying
the moment with our friends.

It was 4:00 in the afternoon on March 14th when I arrived at the hotel where the prom
venue was located. I waited for my friends to arrive, wearing a burgundy tube long gown
with a high slit. I looked around feeling uncomfortable because I'm not used to wearing
revealing dresses, nor did I have enough confidence to carry myself in it. But I reminded
myself, "I have to look confident! I spent two weeks deciding what to wear and preparing
for my look, so it has to be worth it. I need to enjoy this night." As my friends arrived, we
headed to the entrance. We were greeted by two photographers who took a solo shot of
each of us before we entered the venue. When we entered the venue, I was really amazed
by the place. The hotel itself had an elegant design structure, enhanced by the students
and teachers who had amazing looks. Everyone in the room looked fabulous—their
gowns and tuxedos shimmered under the lights, adding to the overall sparkle of the night.
And it looked like everyone had prepared for this night. I felt really excited because it was
my first time attending a prom. Everything looked new to me. I didn't even know the flow
of this prom, except for the fact that we would dance for the cotillion, which I was really
nervous about. Nevertheless, I just went with the flow of what was happening and let the
excitement of the night take over.

The time for the event had started. They asked us to line up with our partners for the
entrance and picture-taking. After the entrance, we started going to our respective tables
to sit. Luckily, my friends and I had the same table, which added to my happiness. This
night wouldn't be boring to me because I had my friends sitting with me, talking, laughing,
and making memories together. It was a relief to have them there, especially since I was
still a little nervous about everything. The opening remarks of the event occurred, and our
principal, head, and some of the chosen students gave their short messages for the
occasion. After that, my favorite part of the event came—dinner time! Honestly, it's one
of the things I'm looking forward to. Even after I just arrived at the venue, my tummy was
already growling just by thinking of the possible foods they would serve us. I almost think
that the food is all that I came there for—kidding aside, but seriously the foods are really
delicious, which I didn't expect because it's a hotel. I thought they would serve us some
unfamiliar foods, which I'm not fond of, but no, the foods they serve us are
plentiful and delicious. Well, at least for me. So, I could say that the food is one thing that
I enjoyed the most at prom.

For many, cotillion is one of the most anticipated parts of prom, a part where students
look forward to. The cotillion is a chance to show off their dance skills, create lasting
memories, and perhaps even get a little sentimental about the end of the night. But it's
not the same thing for me. I was terrified. When we went to the middle, where we would
dance, I suddenly felt cold. I don't know if it was because of the air conditioning or because
of the nervousness I felt. It was really uncomfortable. There were a lot of people, and I
was in the middle of the platform. It felt like they were judging me through their eyes. I'm
not a great dancer, and the thought of being in the spotlight with everyone watching made
my stomach churn. The idea of not remembering the steps, because of lack of practice
due to our work immersion, also added to my nervousness. I was worried that I would
trip, mess up, or end up looking like a complete fool. But as the music started, I took a
deep breath and realized that everyone else was just as nervous as I was. We were all in
this together, and we were all just trying to have fun. So I let go of my worries, and I just
danced. I didn’t execute the steps perfectly, but it didn’t matter. I had fun, I laughed with
my friends, and I danced the night away. The cotillion ended up being one of the highlights
of the night, not because it was perfect, but because I let go of my fears and just enjoyed
myself. It was a reminder that it's okay to be imperfect, and that it's more important to
have fun than to be perfect.

After the dance performance of every strand, the DJ started playing a lively mix of songs
that got everyone up and dancing. The students and teachers started gathering in the
middle of the platform to dance and sing along to the music. My friends and I also joined
the crowd, and we started dancing and singing to the beat, like we were the only ones in
the room. The crowd was so energetic, and it was contagious—everyone was showing
off their own moves and having a blast. We were all moving together, lost in the music
and the moment. It felt like everyone had shed their inhibitions and just embraced the joy
of the night. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt so carefree and happy. Seeing
everyone having fun and letting loose, I realized that I really should enjoy my life while I'm
still young, that I should not limit myself with worries and fears. There was a sense of
freedom in the air, a feeling that anything was possible. It was a reminder that life was
meant to be lived, and that I should make the most of every moment.

Before the night ended, my friends and I started taking more pictures; we wanted to
capture every moment of this unforgettable night. We took group pictures with our friends,
capturing our shared joy and camaraderie. It was a night we knew we would never forget,
so we wanted to make sure we had photos to look back on and relive the memories. As
the night drew to a close, we gathered for one final picture, a snapshot of our friendship
and the incredible night we had just shared. The energy was still palpable, even though
the night was coming to an end. We laughed, we danced, we reminisced about the
highlights of the evening, and we knew that this was just the beginning of new adventures
and memories to be made together. The night was winding down, but the energy was still
high. We danced one last time to the final song of the night, feeling a bittersweet mix of
happiness and sadness as the music faded out. As we walked out of the venue, hand-in-
hand with our friends, we looked back at the hotel, a symbol of a night that would forever
be etched in our memories. We had danced, we had laughed, and most importantly, we
had made beautiful memories that we will forever cherish.

Overall, prom was an unforgettable experience. It was a night filled with laughter, dancing,
and memories that will last a lifetime. From the elegant venue to the delicious dinner and
the energetic dance floor, every moment was special. I learned that it’s okay to step
outside of my comfort zone, to embrace new experiences, and to let go of my fears. The
night reminded me that life is meant to be enjoyed, and that I should never let my worries
hold me back from having fun. The experience taught me the importance of being present,
of living in the moment, and of appreciating the people around me. It was a night of
growth, self-discovery, and pure joy, and it left me feeling grateful for the friendships I’ve
made and the experiences I’ve had. It’s a night I’ll never forget, and it’s a reminder that
life is short, and it’s important to make the most of every moment.