Batesburg-Leesville, SC 04/21/2021 - This Saturday, April 24th, historic Main Street in downtown Leesville, SC will transform into what could be a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie as junior and senior students from Batesburg-Leesville High convene for the school’s annual prom. This year’s theme “Under the Stars on Main” will set the tone for the evening as students enjoy dining and dancing under twinkling lights and amidst the glow from local storefronts that line the small-town street.
The idea to host this year’s prom on Main Street was first conceptualized by Batesburg-Leesville High School Principal Sonya Bryant earlier this year. She knew that in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, administrators were going to have to be creative in order to safely organize and pull off a magnitudinal event such as prom. She first presented her concept to members of the junior class (since they’re in charge of planning the prom each year) and after receiving their approval along with blessings from the Lexington Three District Office, she presented the plan to officials with the Town of Batesburg-Leesville, Leesville Merchants Association, and Batesburg-Leesville Chamber of Commerce. In true Batesburg-Leesville style, every organization she approached for support overwhelmingly gave it, along with generous offers of assistance and help.
“I have been floored by the outpouring of love and philanthropy that has been shown to us and our Panther students as we have made plans for the 2021 prom. Local business owners have volunteered to help set up before and clean up after the event. The South Carolina Poultry Festival Steering Committee is allowing us to use some of their equipment so that students can safely cross the median of the street during the event. I’ve received countless emails, calls and texts from various groups and people around town just wanting to know how they could help. In all my years of being in the world of education, I have never seen such collaboration and remarkable partnerships as what we have in the town of Batesburg-Leesville. Truly, this tight-knit community is a champion for our students and is committed to making sure that COVID-19 doesn’t take one more thing away from them, especially prom. Without a doubt, this year’s event will 1 be one for the history books, not just for our students, but for our small town as well,” said Mrs. Bryant.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
On Saturday, April 24th, the east lane of Main Street in Leesville will be closed all day
(from Economy Furniture down to Tidwell Jewelers). The west lane of Main Street in
Leesville will close at 3 pm (from Faithful Cafe down to Sweet Simplicity). Businesses
will be open throughout the day as usual, with parking being available for shoppers in
the grassy area near the railroad tracks.
Prom will begin at 7 pm and end at 11 pm. No outside visitors will be allowed inside of
the designed event area (which will have barricades around the perimeter) and security
officers will be present to ensure student and staff safety. Masks will be worn and are
required at all times by faculty, staff, students and chaperones.
Administrators are aware that the forecast is calling for rain. Many tents (with gutters)
have been rented to provide protection from the elements for this year's prom guests.
In addition, heaters will be on-site in the event that temperatures drop during the
evening.
