The magic of the bayou came to Cerritos High School upperclassmen on March 21 for the Prom of 2026. The annual event was held this year at a three-story venue, Ovation Square, in Long Beach. Students filled all floors, which were decorated with Disney-inspired decor throughout. Featuring a theme inspired by Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog,” the event overcame the challenges of having an early March date to deliver a special night for everyone attending.
“Having prom this early was a little bit difficult, usually happening during April,” says Mrs. Holly Matchett after the event. “The numbers were high, and there was a big turnout. I think this is one of the best proms in recent years.”
The night was organized with different activities on each level to keep the students entertained. The main floor featured a DJ booth and a marble dance floor, also hosting the main buffet with “absolutely exquisite food,” as Junior Mark George describes. Students looking for a break between dancing found themselves on the top floor, playing casino games, a dedicated spread of desserts, and a photo booth. The bottom level held ping pong tables, basketball hoops, games, a fortune teller, and live caricature artists who gave students free portraits to remember the night.
The evening began with students admiring friends’ outfits, grabbing plates of food, and settling into what was, for many, their first prom. Black suits remained the staple for the gentlemen, ruby-red and bright blue dresses were popular with the ladies. Making the dancefloor a beautiful mash of colors that reflected the Enchanted-Bayou theme. As the doors closed, the energy shifted, with students making their way to the dance floor after looking around. Soon, everyone was dancing to songs from Bruno Mars and Drake, to classics like Justin Bieber’s “Baby” and Call Me Maybe.” A midnight DJ switch kept the momentum going, leaning into Latin and Nostalgic tracks that kept everyone dancing and singing along.
“The DJ had a great music selection. Everyone was dancing, not caring about how they looked, and that just made everything more fun,” says junior Jesse Chung.
The highlight of the night was watching the crowning of the prom Queen and King. Seniors Alec Alvarez and Amy Ge made it to the stage, accompanied by a thunderous applause from their classmates.
“I’m honored to be around everyone and I hope everyone had lots of fun. This event was a great way to end high school,” says Ge after her win.
As the final song faded and students made their way out, everyone knew that this night was special. The night concluded with a sense of accomplishment for ASB organizers and a night to remember forever for the senior class. For the incoming juniors and seniors, this is a preview and the start of 2027 prom’s countdown. The bayou may be quiet for now, but the bar for next year’s dance has never been higher.
