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Flashback to 1958

My High School Grad Dance (Prom)

THE DRAW

When I was about to graduate from High School in 1958, the plan was for a grad dance (prom) to take place the weekend following the ceremonies.
The concept of a grad draw was the current day norm. Today's youth would be amazed at the process.

Here's how it worked

  • All grade twelves who would be graduating gathered in the school auditorium.
  • The sexes were evened up ( ie a small number of prominent grade eleven students were added to the mix to ensure an equal number of boys and girls.
  • All the boys names were put in one hat and all the girls names were put in another hat
  • A member of the grad committee (under the steely eye of the sponsoring teacher) picked a name from each hat
  • The names were called out and the two grads met their grad dates on the stage
  • After all draws were completed, the grads congregated in the gymnasium where they completed their dance cards
  • draw partners MUST dance with their dates for dances 1, 8 an 15

A primary advantage of this approach was that everyone got to go to the grad dance/prom. Those with great loves in the grad class or from outside the class (or school) could hook up at after parties.