MCDS prom looked different this year, complete with a new venue, a professional decorator, a “One Night in Hollywood” theme and an iPad raffle that had students showing up in costume all week for a chance to win.

The changes to the April 25 event were the work of Student Life, the club that organizes prom, homecoming and other school events. Members wanted to boost attendance and school spirit, and they overhauled nearly every element of the night to do it.

“One of our big goals was to raise attendance to prom this year,” Lily ’27 said, who has been a Student Life member since her freshman year. “The iPad was to encourage people to do the dress-up week, and to encourage people to show up to prom. We tried to make prom more fun so everyone shows up, has a good time and bonds.”

The raffle worked like this: every prom ticket purchase came with one entry, and students earned additional entries each day they participated in spirit week dress-up days in the week leading up to the event. Student Life also hired a professional decorator, expanded food and drink options from previous years and added a photo booth.

Kayla ’27 was the one who walked away with the iPad.

“Winning was a surprise, especially because I only had one ticket,” she said. “Just hearing my name was really exciting.”

Caden ’27 said the changes were noticeable. “Compared to previous years, it was a lot better,” he said, adding that spirit week and the raffle “encouraged school spirit.”