CENTRAL FLORIDA — A year after the pandemic forced schools to cancel prom, this year schools in Orange and Seminole counties are offering a prom alternative to seniors only.

What You Need To Know

  •  High School proms across Central Florida were canceled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic

  •  This year, school districts are trying to offer prom alternatives for seniors

  • Some parents are also booking private venues to hold their own proms for students

Pulling into prom isn’t as black and white as it use to be.

This time a year ago, there was no one on the dance floor, resulting in a loss of about 33% of Exotic Limo's annual business. No proms meant a loss of about $100,000 from that portion of their business.

Oviedo High Senior Sienna Decker isn’t having the senior year she was hoping for either.

“We didn’t have pep rallies,” she said. “We didn’t have a homecoming.”

Schools across Central Florida are taking a cautious approach for senior proms this year. Dancing, for instance, is not an approved activity since it doesn’t to meet recommendations provided by the CDC.

According to Exotic Limo owner Jerome Johnson, prom bookings are starting to come back, though, and addressing safety is one of his main requests from parents.

“Safety. Safety. Safety. Sanitize. Sanitize. Sanitize,“ he said. “We stick with the rules of the CDC.”

When riding in style, all guests must wear a mask. 

For parents concerned there are just too many people in the back of a limousine cramped up together, Johnson said not to worry — you can still show up to prom in style with the red carpet treatment.

Seniors like Decker say just the thought of going to a prom is a loaded idea. 

“It’s hard because you know you probably shouldn’t with COVID going on,” Decker said. “We are also kids and we want to have fun.”

Despite mixed emotions, Johnson is hopeful to have a busy prom season.

“Very optimistic,” he said. “We can see the growth already coming back.”

Sienna is now looking forward to some type of prom, and Johnson is looking forward to getting students there in style.

Both know, though, that the prom season is still not entirely back to normal.

Each individual school in Orange County is developing plans for the prom alternative with student leadership. In Seminole County, some schools are doing Senior Soirees at a nice venue where students will still dress in formal attire, have food, photos and entertainment, all while observing social distancing and safety guidelines.

Some parents have also decided to book their own venues to host proms for their kids.