"It's senior prom," said Taylor Lytle, an 18-year-old Las Cruces High senior. "Last year I went with a lot of my best friends that were seniors. We were really close friends. But this year will be better because it's with my class."
Lytle has an understanding with her boyfriend of five months, Nathan Muñoz, that they will attend the prom together. But she's still waiting for a formal proposal.
She and her friends have been selecting the perfect gown, ensuring their dates have proper tuxes, reserving tables for dinner and renting limos.
Chase Zurek, owner of Las Cruces Limousine, said his fleet of five luxury rides — some of which can hold 10, 17 and even 27 passengers — are booked for every prom weekend. The average cost hovers around $100 per hour, he said.
"It's an expensive thing to do," he said. "Believe it or not, I'm trying to convince her to wear her dress from last year, but I think I lost that battle. The baby boomers as parents are incredibly generous people. We had our fun and now it's their turn."
Like her fellow prom patriots, she's still waiting for that romantic proposal from her date, Justin Stannose, as well as the flowers and flouncing that come on that special evening.
In years past, some proposals have been somewhat over the top. Last year one young man chose to make his request clad more in a birthday suit than tux and tails, she said.
That's certainly not what she's expecting, but something involving flowers would suffice as "something cute" she said. Anticipation is sweet approaching prom week, she said.
"I'm looking forward to it right now," she said. "But pretty much the whole week before you get nervous. You get your hair done, nails done, think about what you are going to do and what your parents are going to do.
"It's special because of the anticipation of it, especially this year," she said. "It's our senior prom. It's the end. It's the last time that the whole class will be together."
"We have a no-alcohol policy in our limousines," he said. "If anybody under 21 is in the car, the ride is terminated at that point and calls are made to the parents. It's just over. You don't get a refund if that happens."
Lytle, who's "bittersweet" about seeing his daughter take one of the final steps into adulthood, is confident she and her friends will be safe, sane and sober.
"It's your little baby," he said. "But they aren't babies any more. From my perspective as a father, I have a lot faith in her and her friends to make the right decisions. We've got them to this point. Now they have to use their noggins. She's got a good head on her shoulders and I trust her."
"First off, parents should be involved in the whole process," said LCPD spokesman Danny Trujillo. "The teens need to know what their parents expect and what time they're expected to return home. Parents should know what their teen's plans are for the evening. Who are they going with? Where are they having dinner? When will they be at their prom? What are their post-prom plans? When are they expected home?"
Parents need to talk to the teens about safety issues, such as not going anywhere without a buddy, and not allowing yourself to be put into a situation you cannot get out. Parents may also want to collaborate with other parents and host a non-alcoholic post-prom party where the teens can enjoy themselves in a safe environment.
Teens should know not to drink and drive, and they should encourage others to stay clear of alcohol or drugs. Teens also should know that if someone does drink alcoholic beverages, they should not drive a vehicle.
Many teens now have cell phones so they need to know that their parents, or a responsible adult, will be accessible on prom night and, if necessary, will be able to safely pick them up at any time.
"Prom is signifying the end of the year, and for our seniors, it signifies the end of high school," Moya said. "It's our party that the schools allow us to have. Have a lot of fun and enjoy yourself."
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