It's Prom time in Hungary!

Today at my school, Deak, is a very special day for the senior class. It's "graduation pinning day"...that's the best translation we can think of...the 11th graders "pin" a ribbon onto the lapels of all the seniors. On the ribbon is written "2002-2006", commemorating their four years they spent in high school. From this day on, through the end of June, people will see seniors from all the different high schools sporting these ribbons around town as each publically "declares" that "I am graduating this year!"

However, tomorrow evening is the BIG event: Prom! They do prom here in February because in May, all seniors are taking exams which cover four years worth of material. Prom involves parents, relatives, friends, even neighbors, as they all come at the very beginning of the evening to watch special dances like the English Waltz, etc., danced by the seniors, who have been practicing these dances since November! Girls wear rented wedding dresses and boys wear tuxedos with tails for these special dances. Following the last special dance, each senior along with his/her advisor, who has walked with them through four years of high school, enjoy a glass of champagne together, toasting each other! All teachers are present at the prom, and following the opening dances, which typically last about an hour, students and families go to different classrooms to have dinner, and the teachers enjoy dinner together in the big staff room.

Then the dance begins...with a band or a DJ. Girls change from the wedding gowns into prom dresses, and guys into suits, and families either stay or leave, but teachers typically stay and dance with the students! After prom will take place at a local bar which the senior class has rented out til the wee hours of the morning.

Overall, I prefer Hungarian prom to the typical American prom. Here, no one has to have a date...everyone is welcome and there is no pressure to have a date. Families are involved and included. Teachers are welcomed by the students and not "avoided" as chaperones. In fact, the students WANT the teachers to go out and party with them all night long! The community feel is one I respect and have grown to love.