Springtime in Paris!

Oo-la-la! In my last post, I mentioned some of my favorite springtime things here in Texas. And while I could travel up the road and show you images of Paris, Texas, this particular Paris, the World’s Fair of 1889, was created for the Texas Christian Homeschool Prom. All 1,750 students were treated to an evening on the Champs Elysees, exploring cafe’s, gift shops, the catacombs, and even the Arc de Triomphe.

Along the way, they also were able to meet various famous people who had actually attended the World’s Fair that year. Folks like Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Thomas Edison, and Theodore Roosevelt.

In addition were some other characters from the world of entertainment like Gaston and Belle, the Three Musketeers, the Phantom of the Opera, and the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

The students hardly left the dance floor, however. Or should I say, four dance floors, at the base of the Eiffel Tower. Current songs along with oldies like “Rockin’ Robin,” “Shout,” and “Thriller” kept the dance floor hopping. Literally. The chandeliers even bounced!

What an amazing evening! Memories that will last a lifetime! I’m so glad I was able to be part of this event! If you know homeschoolers, encourage them to enjoy amazing nights during their high school years. http://www.TxCHP.org

Passions Blessed

Last year, I got to be a director of America’s largest home school prom. The Texas Christian Homeschool Prom had over a thousand students last year, was held in one of the largest venues in downtown Dallas, and incorporated a lavish formal meal with games, popular music, and lots of dancing. I got to be a prom queen. What an amazing time, right?

P is for PROM

No, I’m not talking the balloons and crepe paper of my prom although I loved my prom.

AND I’m not talking about the step-up to lattice and twinkle lights used at the prom the night before ours. (I did guard duty on our unloaded stuff. The twinkle lights were lovely, but – no.)

 

This prom is outrageous over-the-top. This year’s theme was

“The Kingdom.”

The alpha/omega symbol, our icon. And we had a dragon!

 

Our entry was a 60 foot wall, complete with guards on the top. It led into a garden with gazebo, fountain and bridge. Next to the Kings garden was a chapel. Yes, real stained glass. It and the garden were so much cooler than the ballroom! Along one side was a huge labyrinth – a work of art made of bamboo and shrubbery cuttings. The students made a contest to see who could escape first.

Behind that, our arena with a myriad of games: archery, rings and ball tosses, chess, checkers, backgammon, mancala. Oh and this awesome catapult activity where they knocked down the miniature castle.

Beyond that was the Armory where the kids could get pics taken with swords and battleaxes and the Knights Hall complete with the Round Table for group shots.

Our village had both a tavern and an apothecary where the kids could pick up Dr. Peppers or sachets, respectively. Behind the tavern, the throne room highlighted the backside of our pre-function area. Yes, we had a prince and princess.

In fact, we had a battle scene with about a dozen warriors to open the dinner. During the meal, The Dallas String Quartet played followed by DJ, William Ryan III. The students danced Thriller, waltz, Boot Scoot Boogie, and swing along with the jump-up-and-down songs that are at most proms. After a Dance Contest and a final Senior Legacy Dance where the graduating danced with parents, the night finally closed at 1AM. For them.

For us, it ended about 5 hours later – but it was worth it! What a great night!

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