On the night of Saturday, May 16, 2026, upper classmen at Horizon Honors High School celebrated their 2026 prom. The venue at the Phoenix Zoo was alight with warm stringlights, and music echoed across the zoo from the dance floor atop the balcony. The theme of “Dreaming Under The Lanterns” was echoed in the decor and in the attire of the students. The event was a beautifully put together way for students to congregate, dress up, and dance with their friends!
The week leading up to prom saw a spirit week, allowing students to dress up according to fun themes such as “Adam Sandler Day” and “Soccer Mom vs. BBQ Dad”. This spirit week was designed to raise school spirit in the days leading up to prom. The week culminated in the spring pep rally, where at the very end, prom royalty nominees were shouted out. This allowed prom goers ample time to ready their votes for the royalty nominees they think best fit the titles.
Upon arriving at the event itself, students were encouraged to pick up bubbles, light up bracelets, and flower crowns from the check up table as both fun things to carry around the event, and as souvenirs to keep after the fact. Additionally, there were treats, such as cookies, brownies, and lemonade at a table inside the venue. One of the main attractions of the night was a photobooth, wherein students could choose from a host of props to hold up and get professional photos taken of themselves and their friend groups. Finally, and arguably most importantly, for the first time in Horizon Honors prom history, students had access to the zoo’s carousel! Students were elated with this addition to the prom roster, and many people spent their nights in a dizzied stupor after going too hard on the spinning tea cup ride.
The theme of “Dreaming Under The Lanterns” was based on the famous 2010 Disney film, “Tangled’. This theme was reflected seamlessly in the decorations around the event; there were purple and yellow accents lining the balcony, beautifully warm string lights giving an effect of the titular lanterns, and more. It was a flawless addition to the atmosphere of the dance.
Near the end of the event, prom royalty was announced: Dax Christian and Dylan Green, and as junior prince and princess, Luke O’Brien and Darcy Sylvester as senior prince and princess, and Saharsh Novli and Lindsey Johnson as senior king and queen. Each of the winners were handed a sash and crown and were then given the opportunity to slow dance to the song “At Last I See The Light” from Tangled.
Overall, Horizon Honors’s 2026 prom was one for the books. From the spirit week beforehand to the dance itself, from the simple atmospheric enhancements like the string lights and tablecloths to the grandiose attraction that was the carousel, the event was something that any student could find some enjoyment from.
