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Prom. When the major event in high school is reminisced about, we all think back to the cheesy movies, where the only worries in the world are who's going to win Prom King or Queen, and the dresses. Orange had its 51st annual prom, and this year’s theme was "A Gatsby Affair." The Durham Hilton was filled with gold and black balloons, while the ballroom had a DJ, as well as different multi-color lights, with lighted mini palm trees illuminating the tables.
Students danced the night away with a variety of songs, including "Timber," "Cotton-Eyed Joe," and "All of Me." Students also gathered together for group songs, like the "Cupid Shuffle" and "Wobble." Prom ended at midnight with "Let it Go" from Disney’s hit film Frozen.
Students enjoyed a wide assortment of food provided by the Durham Hilton. Of course, there would be no prom without chaperones, which was the Orange High Staff, who all looked quite dapper.
When asked how she would describe her prom experience from this year, senior Brianna Hales said, “Prom was so much fun! I love seeing all my friend dressed up, they look so dapper.” Also, sophomore Jared Riley said, “It was pretty fun, the DJ did a good job of keeping us students pumped up and dancing. My favorite thing would probably be just hanging out with my friends and having a great night.”
Though prom started at 8:00 pm on Saturday, most students didn’t make their grand arrivals until 8:45 pm or later.
Of course, one of the most important factors is the attire! Each and every girl had a dress a little different from the rest, with popular colors from the night ranging from mint green to orange. Just like the night, the decorations, and the theme itself, each and every dress had class, mixed with pizzazz and flare.
For next year’s theme, junior Megan Joyner hopes “the theme next year is something exotic and exciting.” While Maddie Norwood, also a junior, hopes that next year’s theme “is a masquerade, because I think that would be really neat.”
“I think the prom was a lot of fun. I loved the decorations -- even though they didn't really seem to be Gatsby-themed, they were still amazing and gave prom a much more sophisticated atmosphere than at other dances. The music was pretty good and I loved the food, especially the punch fountain,” said Norwood.
Photo Credit: Jack Duval. Photo License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. No edits made.[/caption]After school ends Friday, the cherished spring break begins and the students will enjoy a week of no school. Students look forward to spring break because they might be vacationing somewhere, or are ready to just finally have a break from school and sleep in. Chance Durham, senior, is excited about going to the beach with friends and getting a break from school. He said, “Spring break is real nice because of the break from school and getting able to relax for a week.” Another student, Jessica Scott, senior, is going on a cruise through the Caribbean. She said, “I hope it will be a very fun and wonderful trip for me and my family.”
Although the break is meant to be relaxing, not all students experience this and have other activities that keep them on the go. Some students have to attend sports activities or other extracurricular activities during the break. Tyler Reitano, senior, who plays for the baseball team, will have practice early next week and then later have a tournament during the weekend. He said, “While waking up early sucks, going out to the field is fun and overall I enjoy it, even though it takes time from my break.” Overall, most students enjoy their break from school and appreciate the break.
Photo Credit: Tony and Debbie (flickr username). Photo License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. No edits made.[/caption]Thursday, March 27, the Orange High School Choral Department presented an A Capella concert. Tickets to the concert cost $5 and it took place at 7:00 pm.. It was directed by Orange’s chorus instructor/teacher Jane Williams.
The concert included all three classes of chorus; Beginning, Intermediate, and Madrigals going in order from advancement. The students all wore black formal attire and did their pieces with no instruments or backing music. Chase Austin welcomed the crowd and presented the first performance of the night.
The Beginning Concert Choir began first singing three pieces, Old Dan Tucker, Red, Red Rose, Shut de Do. All went without a hitch and were a nice way to start off the concert.
After the three Beginning arrangements the Intermediate Concert Choir stepped onto stage and sang four different songs. These were; Non Nobis Domine, Ah! How Pleasant, and a crowd favorite that provided some humor for the concert, The Animals Improvise Counterpoint (a “Nonsense” song), as well as a follow up song, Liza.
After Intermediate came the Madrigal Singers who sang Flower of Beauty and Elijah Rock. After them came a Pop Mashup sang by multiple madrigal girls, Kimberly Barbosa, Nicola Cassada, Katie Clark, Ashley Holloway, Jessica Scott, Sarah Tatum, MacKenzie Turner, and Amanda Rowe.
After the female ensemble another small group of Intermediate students came forward to sing, Just The Way You Are. This group included Ally Farthing, Tyshiona Haines-Mitchell, Kaleb Hix, Julian Knight, and Jalesa Parker. Somebody I Used To Know was sang right after by another small group of Madrigal females.
Three young ladies; Erin Burgner, Hannah Cozart, and Andie McKinnon then sang The Chain. Followed up by Nicole Cassada, Katie Clark, Caleb Tolin, and Nicholas Vassello singing Because of You.
After the smaller mashups were applauded for, Matt Lewis, Montee Mitchell, Davis Scott, Jordan Toney, and Andrew Williamson performed Let’s Groove which was another hit with the audience. After the Madrigal boys sang their groove, Chase Austin Trevor Bates, Aidan Farrel, Travis Holt, Marquise Morrow, Sankwon Reams, and Dalton Shary sang You Send Me ending the concert on a perfect note.
Great job to the Panther singers and congratulations to the 12 students who were chose to perform at the North Carolina All-State Choral Festival in February and special congrats to Travis Holt for being chosen to sing one of two solos in a Mixed Ensemble chosen by Dr. Rodney Wynkoop of Duke. Stay on the watch for the All County Choral Festival at Orange April 12.
Events that students participated in included a wood chopping contest, a seed spitting contest, hay bale toss contest, tie a bow on the pigtail contest, and a welding contest. Throughout the week all of FFA’s fun activities lead up to the the Hoedown Throwdown dance at the Cedar Grove Ruritan Club on Friday night. Senior Ben Albaugh said “We think the dance and FFA week as a whole went well and it’s a good tradition that we hope to keep doing.” In agreement Johannah Manley stated, “FFA week was a success and I really enjoyed it.”
Overall FFA week was a great experience for newcomers, teachers, and the seniors leaving after this year. With the tradition being passed down each year, from one class to another, the leaving seniors hope that each class will embrace this event and help it grow each year.
Students dressed up on Halloween night and sent in their pictures using the hashtag #OHS50 via Twitter and Instagram.Thank you to everyone who sent in pictures!