Prom 2019 (Yup I Went To My Son's Prom!)

When you think of prom, you think of a bunch of excited teenaged seniors going wild for their last night together as high schoolers.  A few teacher chaperones litter the space but are carefully placed in the background to not encroach on the festive teenage atmosphere.  Well, I am here to tell you that in Costa Rica, prom is a little different as much as it is the same. 

It's the same vibe, of course, with a bunch of teenagers getting lit for the final night together as high schoolers.  They dance the night away and get as wild as they are allowed to get in a somewhat controlled environment because there are chaperones.  However, teachers are nowhere in sight. Instead you see parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, cousins, uncles, even neighborhood friends. Prom is literally a family affair. In Costa Rica prom, or as they call it the graduation dance, is a family friendly event.  It is expected that families attend prom with their graduating senior.  There is the customary introduction as the senior officially enters the event with their parents.  There is a photo area for families and even an introductory dance 'performance' by the senior and their parent.  Needless to say, I went to Prom with my 19 year old and it was pretty lit.