Most people associate prom with something you leave behind after high school. But for many students at Chico State, International Prom comes to life not out of nostalgia, but second chances, reshaping the experience into something more inclusive of cultures, languages and identities.

Hosted by the Global Student Society, the annual event will return to the Bell Memorial Auditorium Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with check-ins beginning at 5 p.m. The auditorium will be transformed into an enchanted forest theme under fairy lights with flower decorations, a buffet-style dinner with dietary options including vegetarian and drink area, and a photo booth with a white floral backdrop.

There will be different performances from dance clubs: Bollywood Dance Club, Ctrl +K Dance, Suenos De Las Estrellas, Envy Hip Hop, Filipino American Association, Pacific Islander Club and  Chico State Line Dancing. Chico State Line Dancing will also teach attendees new line dances as part of the event.

After those performances, the auditorium will become an all-student dance segment followed by the crowning of Prom Royalty and awards for best dressed, best dancer and favorite dance club performance. 

“First-time attendees should expect to be entertained by some amazing dance teams, eat yummy food, take fun photos at the photo booth, and dance until their feet hurt!” said Cindy McKay, Global Student Society’s club advisor.

The music at the event is mostly American pop and hip-hop, as prom is a uniquely American cultural event. Most students are eager to embrace those traditions of wearing a ball gown or suit, but there is no enforced dress code. 

International Prom started in 2011, and was originally hosted by the study abroad team led by Tasha Alexander and Jennifer Grauber from 2011-19. The prom was then taken over in 2022, after COVID-19, since the Global Student Society was founded as an international student ambassador passion project in 2021. 

The first prom welcomed 45 attendees, but over the years, the prom has grown in both engagement and diversity. The first prom hosted by Global Student Society in 2022 had over 100 attendees and last year’s prom had over 400 attendees, McKay said.

In 2023, the dance performance element was added by the Global Student Society president at the time, Amra Erdenetuya, bringing the event to another level.

 “It was no longer just a dance anymore — It was a show. It has been an awesome feature and promotes different cultural dance clubs/teams and to have them join the event and have fun with us after they perform.” McKay said. “They bring so much energy and excitement to prom. Everyone cheers for and supports each other. It’s magic.”

Each dance group brings a different style and cultural flair to the stage.

“Our team has practiced a lot, and we’re excited for the audience to see what we’ve come up with.” said Swasti Sharma, president of Bollywood Dance Club. “We’ve put together fun formations and we’ve chosen catchy, modern songs, of course, with our traditional Bollywood flair.” 

All of the groups have spent weeks preparing choreography that reflects their talents and cultures.

“We’ve been preparing since the beginning of the semester to put on a 7 and a half minute long K-pop mix with all 25 of our dancers,” said Megan Kawakami, president and co-captain of Ctrl + K. “This semester’s mix is challenging, but we’ve all pushed through to create something that we’re all truly proud of.”

Ctrl + K has also spent weeks preparing. Since April, as soon as it knew it would be performing. Ctrl + K went straight to practice and continued to be dedicated to practicing leading up to the performance, Sharma said.

For many performers, the event is not only about entertainment value but also about providing opportunities for diverse student representation and reflection. 

“Our performances are a testament to our pride in sharing our culture with others through dance,” said Kenya Garcia, social media manager and dancer for Suenos De Las Estrellas. “This art form holds immense significance for us, as it allows us to honor our community and ancestors.”

Audiences for each performance can expect high-energy, a variety of different styles and stories on display as performers take the stage.

“From our performance, you can expect a very colorful, energetic and joyful showcasing of Mexican culture,” said Melanie Saucedo Orocio, president of Suenos De Las Estrellas. “I am just really excited for the crowd to feel the energy we bring to the stage; it is always an amazing time performing.”

As for Ctrl + K, the audience can expect a competitive spirit on stage, paired with popular songs and a debut performance, including new dance club members.  “This semester we’ve prepared a high-energy performance that we hope will hype up the audience, with special props and a theme different from what we’ve done before,” Kawakami said.

As for Bollywood Dance, this also means a mix of different flair. “We’re blending hip-hop with Bollywood, which is a fusion we’ve never explored before. It’s exciting to step into this new territory, and I can’t wait for people to see it.”

Other dance group performances like the Filipino American Student Association will also include hip-hop into their cultural Filipino dancing, while Envy Hip Hop will focus purely on traditional hip-hop and the Pacific Islander Club will do hula dancing in traditional Hawaiian outfits, McKay said.

“I love seeing not just us, but the other performers, too,” Sharma said. “Watching everyone bring their culture to the stage, preparing, and then absolutely nailing it-it’s inspiring. It’s just a very fun time seeing so many people shine.” 

This prom is meant to close out the school year with a celebration of resistance against stress and isolation into the joy of coming together as a community. 

“In a world of yoga pants and cell phone screens. Prom is a chance to dress in beautiful formalwear and engage with other people in a celebratory way,” McKay said. “When we dress up, we feel different. It feels special. Moving our bodies and singing our favorite songs out loud in a group setting is bonding and freeing.” 

Chico State’s diverse campus culture creates opportunities for students to connect across cultures and build new relationships while being exposed to different traditions. McKay explained that participating in another culture’s rituals can help people “feel more connected and included,” adding that international students who attend Prom often leave feeling appreciated and valued.

Even amplifying that, “world peace is literally created one connection at a time.” McKay said, believing that sharing experiences like these brings people closer together and, overall, enhances communal understanding and empathy. 

By the end of the night, International Prom closes out the school year not just with performances and awards, but also reshapes what started as a familiar idea of prom into a space of shared culture, where the campus can live together. 

Lucy Bakowski can be reached at [email protected]