Methacton held its 19th annual post-prom, a prodigious event where students can have a fun time with friends after prom, on April 27. The name of the game for post-prom is safety and prevention, bringing students together in an environment that encourages responsible decision making, celebration and community.

Grace Welsh, a junior, said that many high school students would make ill-advised decisions after prom if their communities, just like Methacton’s, did not host post-prom.

Methacton’s Post-Prom, which carried a movie theme this year, sees 350 parent volunteers go to work for the students. Many volunteers are responsible for both setting up the high school and for hosting fundraisers in preparation of the annual event. Those fundraisers include a golf outing, an adult dinner dance and an auction. Proceeds from all sponsorships amounted to approximately $45,000 this year.

The industrious volunteers spent a 24-hour period setting up the school, making it barely recognizable from its day-to-day appearance. The walls and bathrooms were covered with paintings and paperboard cutouts. The main gymnasium was filled with, among other attractions, inflatables, a mechanical bull and a money grab machine.

Michael Hoy, one of the post-prom chairs, talked about one of the event’s biggest challenges.

“The hardest thing in preparing for post-prom is scheduling all the outside vendor deliveries to synchronize with the decorators and volunteer activities, so set up happens as seamlessly as possible,” Hoy said.  

Maureen Malachowski, another post-prom chair, said while the amazing decorating makes post-prom “extra special”, the intangibles of the evening and early morning are what make the event memorable.

“My favorite thing about post-prom is seeing everyone enjoying themselves with their friends,” said Malachowski.

Many artistic teachers, parent volunteers and students chipped in with their talents this year, creating hallway features that included a glow-in-the-dark pathway and a 3D section enhanced by 3D glasses.  

Freshman Richard Armstrong was happy with his experience.

“I didn’t really know what to expect. My prom experience was very fun,” said Armstrong who competed in the dodgeball tournament with his team called the Crawlers.

In addition to the inflatables and the decorated hallways, students enjoyed a number of other attractions at the annual event. Those included a giant rock wall, casino games, laser tag and a tricycle race. The library becomes a lounge and a movie theatre.

Maya Kumar, a senior talked about her past post-prom experiences and what she would like to do this year.

“My favorite activity last year was laser tag, but I am doing Cash Cab [this year]. I am really excited for that,” said Kumar who added that her favorite feature of post-prom was the Grease hallway.

Julia Garcia a senior talked about what she was looking forward to this year as well.

“I am doing the volleyball tournament. Our team is called Sets Ed. I am also doing Cash Cab, and I am hoping to get hypnotized.”

New to post-prom this year were virtual reality stations in the main gym and an escape room by Expedition Escape in King of Prussia, a company owned by Methacton High School graduates.

Students who remain through the evening are eligible for raffle prizes. This year’s items included a MacBook Air, an Acer Aspire E 15 notebook, a Samsung 32″ Smart TV, a Vizio 32″ LED TV, an Apple watch and an Apple Ipad.

Sponsors included Fairview Village Church, Shannondell, Merck, the district’s home and school associations, Corropolese Bakery and Deli and Worcester and Lower Providence Townships.

Justin Leggin, a senior who has attended all four years of prom, talked about his pre-prom and prom experiences.

“It is all fun with people and friends. You create memories, and you dance all night, and I love to dance and eat food.”

Gallery • 15 Photos

Students could enter teams into the post-prom's annual volleyball tournament.