More than 500 students attended this year's prom.
ALEXANDRIA — Alexandria Area High School students got a chance to walk the red carpet Saturday, May 3, during the grand march at this year's prom. The 2025 theme was "A Night at the Red Carpet." Students had three different times to choose from for the grand march – 4, 5 or 6 p.m. Grand march took place at the Performing Arts Center at the high school. Emcees for the grand march were Abbey Hegg and Maria Mayer, sophomores at AAHS. Susie Schmidt, the principal's assistant at AAHS said that a big thank you goes out to Broadway Ballroom, Midway 9 Theatre, Coca-Cola and Hilltop Lumber for their donations to make prom possible.
An 'amazing sisterly bond'
During the grand march this year, Senior Grace Bugher had two escorts – her boyfriend, Gabe Weller, and her 6-year-old sister, Caroline. In an email to the newpaper, their mom, Jen Bugher, whose five children range in age from 6 to 20, explained why her youngest got to go to prom. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace and Caroline ended up forming an amazing sisterly bond. Their mother said that words cannot describe how it has been for her to watch their relationship develop and grow. "They are best friends, who love shopping, movie nights, lunch dates and playing babies," said Jen. When Grace was a sophomore, she went to prom and when her little sister saw her in such a beautiful gown, she quickly put on her own fancy dress. Jen said they did Caroline's hair and let her put on some makeup so that the two sisters could get some photos before Grace left for prom. The two sisters also did this when Grace went to her junior prom. Fast forward to this year and once again, Grace, now a senior, was going to prom. But this year, she wasn't the only one who got a prom dress. Both Caroline and her big sister bought beautiful, matching red gowns. After Jen shared her story with a staff member at the school, she asked if it would possible for Caroline to walk with Grace and Gabe at the grand march. The answer was yes. Jen also shared that Gabe not only brought Grace a corsage, but he also brought one for his other date, Caroline. "I am so lucky to have such amazing children," said Jen, who has three other children. "But to watch your older ones love the little ones so big and so hard is amazing."
MORE PHOTOS
Photos courtesy of Select Digital Memories. To see all the prom photos, go to the Select Digital Memories website at
http://www.selectdigitalmemories.com/2025_Spring_Sports/2025_AAHS_PROM/index.html. Photo gallery sponsored by the Echo Press and
Alexandria Technical and Community College .
