On Saturday, May 2, Aliso Niguel had its prom for the 2026 school year. This year, the theme was The Great Gatsby, inspired by the award-winning book, and was located at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
The dance started at 7:30 p.m. and students lined up outside the entrance to get in around 7:00 p.m.. Before entering the venue, students were required to show their student IDs and undergo a bag check before walking through a metal detector and taking a breathalyzer test. These measures ensured that Aliso students were able to have fun but remain safe.
Prior to the dance, many of Aliso’s seniors went to the San Juan train tracks to take prom photos. The train tracks have been the senior picture spot for the past few years. While the location was crowded, it provided a nice background for pictures.
At the dance, there were many activities provided for the students to enjoy. The venue had a large outdoor courtyard which was where the DJ and dance floor were located. The outdoor area also encompassed various stands that provided food and snacks for the students. This included a french fry bar and a large dessert table which offered a wide variety of treats such as brownies and cookies. The dirty soda bar also offered fun drinks that matched the theme.
Ring lights and tripods were located outside, acting as a photo booth for students to use if they wanted to take photos with their friends. This offered a fun and easy way for students to take pictures to capture memories and enjoy the night.
When asked about the atmosphere, Aubrey Fletcher (12) said, “I would say my favorite part of prom was the atmosphere and energy because everyone was dancing all night long and seemed to be having a great night. There were also multiple activities that anyone could participate in to enjoy their night such as dancing, taking pictures at a photo booth and playing poker.”
Inside the museum, they had roulette tables with cards and spinning wheels for students to play blackjack, roulette and poker. At each table they had croupiers to assist students when playing the game. Many students participated and had a great time playing games with their peers.
Luna Kitsu (12) said, “I think the museum was a really unique and beautiful place to host prom. The outdoor area was spacious, decorated nicely and had a really good vibe throughout the night. I honestly liked it a lot better than last year’s venue.”
Students were allowed to leave the dance at 9:30 p.m., however the dance went until 10:30.
Overall, this year’s prom was a memorable experience for many. The music, photos, food and decorations made the night fun and special for many.
