Carly Hare
Prom Promise: Thursday, April 17th
What began as a festive prom scene turned into a chilling reminder of the consequences of impaired driving during a dramatic simulation held Thursday, April 17th at Hernando High School.
Sophie Gaylord was airlifted from the mock crash site, barely clinging to life, while her fellow students were loaded into ambulances—or zipped into body bags. The staged accident, organized by the school’s Prom Promise program, aimed to drive home the real-life dangers teens face behind the wheel, especially during prom season.
“I was airlifted because I was the only senior & 18-year-old apart of the scene, it was also because I played the part of somebody critically injured but still alive. Being airlifted was a fun experience, I’m the only ‘patient’ that’s been able to sit up and watch while inside the helicopter, it was something I enjoyed experiencing.” Sophie Gaylord explains.
The realism of the scene was jarring. Students wore their own formalwear—dresses and tuxedos they were willing to ruin—and worked with fake blood, broken glass, and ripped fabric to look like authentic crash victims. Some were visibly shaken by the lifelike depiction.
Emergency responders participated in the simulation, treating it like a real accident. Firefighters extracted victims, EMTs performed triage, and a helicopter from Hospital Wing landed to transport “critically injured” Gaylord. The chilling presence of the coroner underscored the event’s sobering message: decisions made in a moment can have lifelong—or deadly—consequences.
“Mr. Smith had some leftover fake blood and he also bought us a Halloween makeup kit! From the stuff in that kit, like scar wax and bruise pallet, we made realistic puncture wounds to make the scene feel more real. Sophie also broke up a plastic box so we could put that in the wounds and make it look like glass.” Emma Pugh, a sophomore who helped with makeup for Prom Promise, clarifies.
“When I first saw it, I believed it was crazy considering these were real cars that had been in real accidents. When taking pictures of the scene I tried to get both cars in a clear view to show how badly the cars were beat up from an accident that could’ve been caused just by that very reason.” Carly Hare, a sophomore in yearbook in charge of taking photos of Prom Promise, tells us.
“I didn’t necessarily start it at Hernando, it’s been here for a while but when I transferred here it had been many years since anybody had done it and because of my background I thought it would be appropriate for me to take it.” Guy Smith explains as his motivation for doing Prom Promise. The Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher at Hernando, Mr. Smith has experience as an EMT and has seen what drunk driving can do.
Prom Promise is a way to inform and hopefully educate students that they have other options and the consequences they can face.
“Just trying to teach people that they have different options that they might not think of, otherwise I think it’s all about telling people about their options.” Mr. Smith states.
For him, Prom Promise isn’t just to scare students into not drinking and driving but to also encourage them to be honest with their parents or any trusted adult.
“I don’t want to scare anybody, but they need to know that they should be able to call their parents if something was to happen, to not feel weird about it.”
As prom season approaches and ends, school officials hope this visual and emotional impact stays with students long after the fake blood is washed off.
Prom: Friday, April 18th
“This is my third year going to prom and I can say each time I have gone; I’ve gone to have fun with my friends. Prom is a night where everyone looks their best and celebrates being in the moment. It’s the end of the year and we’re in high school enjoying it.” Nataly Tello, a senior, explains.
As prom night approaches, students eagerly prepare for one of the most memorable events of their high school careers. Friends gather to shop for the perfect dresses and suits, carefully selecting outfits that reflect their personal style. Hair and makeup appointments are booked, nails are done, and corsages and boutonnieres are ordered to match carefully coordinated color schemes.
In the days leading up to prom, group chats explode with plans for dinner, transportation, and after-parties. For many, it’s not just about the dance, but the fun that comes with getting ready together with friends and dressing up.
“My highlight of Prom was getting ready with one of my best friends even though we didn’t go together it was fun to still have that moment without the chaos of needing to get photos and just relax, eat, and talk.” Keegan Belle Hess, a sophomore who went to Prom with her friend Hatleigh Holladay.
A long-standing tradition in Hernando, taking photos at the courthouse on the square is a must for local students. On prom night, the courthouse becomes crowded with students and their family, all dressed up for a night of fun, to capture the moment.
The courthouse, with its historic charm and picturesque look, makes the perfect background for photos to be saved and shared. Some choose to take pictures before heading to dinner, while some take them after, but either way, the restaurants around the square make it easy not to stress about times, after all it’s all within walking distance. The tradition brings a special historic and hometown touch to prom to look back on.
Prom is a highly looked forward to event that marks a significant milestone in the lives of high school students. Prom marks the end of students’ high school careers. It’s a night filled with excitement, glamour, and celebration, as students dress up in formal attire and gather with friends to dance, take photos, and make lasting memories.
“I had a lot of fun at prom because I was with my friends.” Junior Mabry Chism tells us.
For many, prom represents the culmination of years of hard work, friendships, and shared experiences. From choosing the perfect outfit and planning the evening’s details to stepping onto the dance floor, prom is more than just a dance—it’s a rite of passage that celebrates youth, achievement, and the close of an important chapter before graduation.
Juniors and seniors at Hernando High School enjoyed a night to remember as Minglewood Hall transformed into a scene of elegance and mystery for this year’s prom, held under a masquerade theme.
The venue was beautifully decorated with fairy lights and ornate masks, setting the tone for an enchanting evening. Students arrived through a walkway illuminated with vibrant LED lights, creating a dramatic entrance that led to a photo area staffed by URock Photography, where couples and friends could capture lasting memories.
“We had a photo booth set up in the spot right before you walked into prom. I took photos of anyone who wanted one then printed them so that Hernando’s students could have a physical memory of their night.” Noah Childress explained.
Attendance was limited to upperclassmen, though underclassmen were welcome if invited by a junior or senior. Inside the venue, music blared from the speakers as students packed the dance floor. The DJ, Derick Culver, kept the energy high with a mix of popular hits and occasional requests, guaranteeing the dance floor stayed full until the final song.
A small food bar offered cookies, brownies, Rice Krispy treats, and more, while a table with water helped partygoers stay hydrated. Tables placed along the edges of the hall provided a space for students to take a break, sit, and chat with friends.
Later in the evening, the crowning ceremony brought cheers and applause, marking one of the night’s highlights. With Aidan Lynch and Priscilla Garcia being crowned King and Queen, Jaxon Dickson and Milca Galicia being crowned Prince and Princess, the crowning ceremony came to a close as the prom royalty had their photos taken. As the night wound down, students gradually began to leave—some heading off to after-parties, others to sleepovers, and many simply home to rest after a night of dancing, laughter, and fun.
With dancing, photos, and festive décor, the night at Minglewood Hall offered students a magical send-off to the school year.