WESTFIELD – Westfield High School Class of 2021 Advisor Robert Coe said the senior class is ready for its prom on May 14 at the GreatHorse Country Club in Hampden.
He said the venue was booked last April, in hopes that a prom would be held this year, and they received permission to go forward from the district and the state a few weeks ago.
The prom will be held outdoors on a covered deck, rain or shine. Coe said they will follow all guidelines, masks will be worn at all times, there will be six people at a table, and they will have a DJ. “The facility is absolutely amazing. It’s such a beautiful site. It’s nestled right in the hills in Hampden, and overlooks the mountain range. It’s absolutely beautiful,” he said.
Coe said they had an option to do two proms if all 282 students wanted to go, but 142 signed up, so they were able to fit them into one prom. The tickets were limited to the WHS Class of 2021 only. Traditionally, WHS holds a junior-senior prom.
“It’s been challenging,” Coe said about making plans this year. “We presented several ideas to the superintendent, alternatives to proms as well. This was the kids’ first option, obviously. They’ve lost so much this year.” He said there have been no senior activities for the students, who returned to school full-time in person on May 3.
“They’re excited to be back. There’s an energy in the building. This week almost felt like the first-week-of-school kind of energy,” he said.
Coe, who has been an advisor to the class since their freshman year, had nothing but praise for the Class of 2021. “They are resilient, they’re hard-working, it’s just a great class,” he said, adding, “I’m a little biased, my daughter is in this class. I’ve been around this class since they were little, it’s a great class.”
Coe also gave high marks to the class leadership. “The class officers are incredible, they’ve worked tirelessly through this whole thing. The last year and a half has been difficult, and they’ve done a great job. They keep fighting,” he said.
Most of all, Coe and fellow class advisor Carrie Salzer are looking forward to celebrating the senior class at the prom and at graduation, scheduled for Bullens Field on June 4. “It’s been a trying year, but they persevered,” he said.
