Fort Atkinson High School juniors and seniors arrived Saturday at McGrath’s Skate and Events hall in Fort Atkinson to participate in “Prom 2024 Masquerade.”
Prom typically is held at the high school, Assistant Principal Jeff Dye said. This year, the junior class was eager to try an off-campus venue. After a visit to the venue made by students and the school’s administration, plans were set in motion to give the idea a try.
Dye said prom is open to juniors and seniors, with this year’s junior class totaling some 225 students and the senior class totaling approximately 260.
In advance of the prom, some 231 tickets were sold, he said, adding that a large number of students were anticipated to buy tickets at the door.
The event included a Grand March, during which some 28 groups of students walked across a stage and posed for photographs. The Grand March was made available to parents and friends through live streaming. Parents also were invited to watch the Grand March in person.
After the Grand March, parents and other guests were asked to exit the premises as the dance got underway, with the doors closing for the night at 9 p.m. After the doors closed, Dye said, students could leave, but they would not be allowed to reenter the venue.
This year, music, along with lights and a smoke machine, was provided by Milwaukee-based DJ James Jaxin.
Additionally, Dye said, eight members of the school’s staff were on hand to serve as chaperones, operating in two shifts.
The dance ended at 11 p.m.
Photos from Saturday’s prom, taken by FAO photographer Kim McDarison, follow.
The Grand March
Allison Prisk and Owen Reeb
Jenna Wudtke and Kylie Gruennert
Yaretzi Torres and Melanie Flores
Nolan Recob and Natasha Marquez
Maddie Hoy, Callie Draves, Alayna Riddell, and Caitlyn
Carter Flack and Korynne Kutz
Kyle and Emma
Maddy Henry and Ben Evans
Evie Keelty and Matthew Ketterhagen
Maddy Stine and Nathaniel Dunford
Ivy Belzer and Jaren Strasburg
Claire Burnett and Carly Johnson
Cyleen and Evie
Jessica Besch and Aiden Sperley
Ashlin Looeese and Ahna Lisa Hope
Alexis Bigelow and Ayden Dale
Olivia O’Neill and Cal Tamblyn
Mara Zanin and TJ Lee-Davis
Clara Weiss and Aiden Worth
Annedraya Schmidt and Derek Wangerin
Ella Last and Alex Curry
Mary Norden and Owen Geiger
Kate Andrews and William Lemke
Kayla Fehrman and Leah Kincaid
Emerson Heagner, Sol Meyerloup and Eli Scheuerell
Aubrey and Anna
Brogan Bosch and Olivia Jennrich
Lily Granec and her date, Jack
The presentation of the Class of 2025 Prom Court, and the crowning of the king and queen
The Class of 2025 Prom Court, Including: Nolan Recob, front row, from left, Todd Majeres, Prom Queen Madison Henry, Prom King Ben Evans, and Matthew Ketterhagen, along with Evie Keelty, back row, from left, Korynne Kutz, Natasha Marquez, Melanie Flores-Arana, Yaretzi Torres, and Madison Stine, is presented following the Grand March and in advance of the dance.
Members of the Class of 2025 Prom Court assemble on stage.
The seven girls who comprise, along with four boys, the 11-member court, are first to assemble on stage.
Seven members of the court prepare to learn the name of this year’s prom queen.
Following an announcement naming her queen, Madison Henry waits on stage where she is joined by the four boys who additionally comprise this year’s prom court. She is greeted by Ben Evans, the first of the boys to arrive on stage.
Prom Queen Madison Henry joins the boys on court as they wait to learn who will be named prom king.
Madison Henry and Ben Evans, who is named the Class of 2025 Prom King, greet their classmates.
Family members and guests attend the Grand March. School staff additionally provided a live stream through which the Grand March could be watched from home.
A family finds seating in anticipation of the Grand March.
A couple eagerly awaits the presentation of a grandchild in advance of the Grand March.
Let’s dance!
Students check out the venue in advance of the Grand March.
Students visit in advance of the dance.
A couple enjoys the music.
Students visit while on the dance floor.
Music, lights, and sometimes smoke, as provided by DJ James Jaxin, set the ambiance as students move onto the dance floor.
Students gather and visit near the dance floor.
Students navigate a hallway between the dance floor and the coat-check closet.
Students wait in line in the hallway near the coat-check closet.
Students gather before heading to the dance floor.
Students dance to a rendition of “Cotton-Eyed Joe.”
Student pose before a lite backdrop provided near the dance floor for the purpose of taking photos.
Students share their excitement and energy as they gather on the dance floor.
A student strikes a pose from the dance floor.
Students check out the venue in advance of the Grand March.
Students find a spot to visit while taking a break from the dance floor.
A student playfully mugs for the camera.
Students don their masks for Prom 2024 Masquerade.
Large groups of students intermittently visit and dance while on the dance floor.
Students enjoy the dance.
A couple arrives to the dance.
Milwaukee-based DJ James Jaxin fills the dance hall with music, lights and smoke.
A couple visits on the dance floor.
Students converse near the Grand March stage.
Newly crowned Prom Queen Madison Henry dances.
Couples enjoys the dance.
A student embraces the dance’s masquerade theme.
Students are exuberant as they dance to the DJ’s playlist.
A student expresses her enthusiasm while dancing with friends.
Students visit while spending time on the dance floor.
Fort Atkinson High School Assistant Principals Adam Rousseau, at left, and Jeff Dye arrive at the venue early to help with finishing touches before students arrive.
Fort Atkinson School Resource Officer Ben Boeve, with the Fort Atkinson Police Department, at right, is among staff members welcoming prom attendees at the door.
Fort Atkinson High School Principal Leigh Ann Scheuerell stands on the Grand March stage in advance of Saturday’s prom, offering photographers an opportunity to check out the lighting.
Prom parking lot volunteers assemble in advance of the “2024 Masquerade,” held Saturday at McGrath’s Skate and Events in Fort Atkinson. The volunteers ensured orderly parking as parents arrived to watch the “Grand March,” and the crowning of this year’s Junior Prom King and Queen. Following the coronation, parents left the building, allowing junior and senior Fort Atkinson High School students an opportunity to dance the night away.