Parents planning LHS prom at Lakeside Links. 

Parents planning LHS prom at Lakeside Links. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — A group of parents of Ludington High School students are working on giving their children a sense of normalcy during these times of government-mandated restrictions on society. While Ludington High School has scheduled many traditional spring activities, such as honors awards ceremonies and commencement, it is not holding a junior/senior prom. Parent Leona Ashley said she and some other parents decided that they would organize their own prom. 

Leona, along with her husband Scott, own Lakeside Links Golf Course on West Chauvez Road. She said she discussed it with Scott and they decided to host a senior prom for Ludington High School students on Friday, June 18 from 8 p.m. to midnight. The prom is not affiliated with the school in any way, Leona said. 

“We will still follow the guidelines and will have limited capacity,” Leona said. “We are allowed 300 people. So, we will begin with having 250 tickets available for the seniors, and their guests, first. Then, we will open it up to juniors.” 

Leona said she and Scott are providing the location and the expenses that go along with that, but they will need other parents and community members to contribute other items or finances. 

“The kids just want a dance,” Leona said. “We need to hire a disc jockey and will need funds to do that. We also are looking for packaged snacks. Beyond that, we don’t plan on asking for much more.” 

Leona said the school’s attorneys advised the school not to hold a prom this year. She spoke with Superintendent Jason Kennedy and he said as long as it is not school affiliated, the school has no say in holding the event, Leona said. 

“I have been involved with the post-prom events for five years,” she said. “I do have a senior who will be graduating this year and I want her and her classmates to have this. I’ve had a lot of parents approach me who think it’s time we return to some normalcy in our society and normalcy for the kids. This is a rite of passage and it was already taken away last year.” 

Those who wish to donate, may contact Leona Ashley via Venmo or PayPal; email lashley1475@yahoo.com; or send a check to Lakeside Links, 5369 W. Chauvez Road, Ludington, MI 49431; memo line: Prom. 

Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern are both planning school-related proms.

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