Gillett prom will go on, with some restrictions

A normal graduation ceremony is anticipated
By: 
Warren Bluhm
Oconto County Times Herald Editor

Gillett High School juniors and seniors will get their long-awaited prom on May 8, with pandemic-era restrictions on who can attend, the Gillett School Board learned Feb. 18.

The prom, which was canceled last year, will be open only to the classes of 2021 and 2022, with no people from outside the Gillett School District, Superintendent Todd Hencsik said.

“I know I’m going to hear from parents, for example, ‘My child has been dating this person from Suring for three years,’ but we feel it’s necessary to draw the line,” Hencsik said.

This year’s senior class feels strongly about having “their” prom, using the plans they drew up for last year’s junior prom, he said. This year’s juniors are hoping the district can have some sort of winter event next year, he added, so that next year’s juniors can have their own prom on the traditional schedule in the spring.

Hencsik also said administrators currently believe the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021 can be held as in previous non-COVID years. Last year’s event was moved to the athletic field and postponed until summer.

“I think we will be able to separate people enough in the gym,” he said.