J is for Junior Prom: My awkward first date. Tenth of 26 posts in the April 2021 Blogging From #AtoZChallenge. Theme: “Endwell: My Early Teen Years”— adding my story to the family history mix. Please join me on the journey. 
When I started classes at Maine-Endwell Junior High in 1963 — we Hooper Schoolers merged with the other elementary kids from Homer Brink across town. This brought new experiences — like changing classes and many teachers — along with new friendships that have lasted to this day.
But best of all were the monthly dances in the school gym, where we teens learned to socialize. That’s where some of my crushes developed — on boys and on dancing itself. I never missed a school dance, they were that much fun!
So much fun, that when Junior Prom rolled around in 1965, I really wanted to go. The problem was, you had to have a date — and at 15, I did not have a boyfriend or even a close enough male pal who could escort me. 
Waiting to be asked
Then, boys were still expected to ask girls to the prom, and girls were supposed to wait/hope to be asked. The popular girls easily lined up dates — but as Prom Night drew closer, my dilemma seemed impossible.
Then one day after social studies, a classmate walked over to my desk — I’ll call him Guillaume (his French-class name) — and quickly asked me to go to the prom with him. I was so surprised, I blurted out “l’ll let you know” — and he blushed and walked away.
I’d known Guillaume since Hooper School. Although he was smart and a good classmate, I’d never had a crush on him — so he wouldn’t have been my choice for prom date. But our teacher, who’d overheard the exchange, thought I should give him a chance.
“Of course you’re going to tell him yes, aren’t you?” he asked. So in the end, that’s what I did — and that’s how I ended up on my awkward first date.
Figuring out the rules
In many ways, the early teens are an embarrassing time when you try to figure out the rules of life and where you fit in — all while being buffeted about by myriad pressures. Attending Junior Prom on my first real date was a prime example.
To begin with, I was the only one on my street going to Junior Prom that year. So news of my date spread up and down our block of 50-odd kids, assuring a large, raucous audience would be milling around our front lawn on the big night. Yikes!
Then there were the unfamiliar rules for formal dances. I’d need to get a new dress and shoes, have my hair pinned and sprayed into a updo by the hairdresser mom across the street, and buy a boutonniere for Guillaume — who was sure to bring me a corsage. This was all too much when I was used to flying solo at more casual school dances.
Prom night arrives
Yet to be at the Junior Prom, I went through it all. The hooting of the neighbor kids when I stepped out the front door with a corsage at my wrist. The car ride to the Junior High in the back seat with Guillaume (his mother at the wheel). The arrival at the dance, where everyone was paired up.
But then an odd thing happened. Although we were supposed to be in couples, at the prom everyone gravitated to their usual cliques — and it felt like a regular dance. The girls admired each others’ dresses while the boys fell into their own groups — and most of the dance songs were fast and freestyle, with nobody really sticking to their date.
The only truly awkward moment was the requisite couples slow dance — when Guillaume and I danced close, even though we’d never spent time together outside of class. And with that, the prom was over.
When Guillaume’s mom arrived to drive us home, she asked if we’d like to stop off for hamburgers or something on the way. But I begged off, since we were going to my grandparents’ house early the next day.
And after they dropped me off, I realized that even though I definitely had no sparks with Guillaume, I’d had a pretty good time at the Junior Prom — and I was glad I’d listened to that teacher and said yes.
Up next, K is for Kents and the creek. Please leave a comment, then join me as Endwell: My Early Teen Years unfolds one letter at a time!
© 2021 Molly Charboneau. All rights reserved.
Such a great story. I was holding my breath, hoping it wasn’t terribly awkward. I’m glad you were convinced to go and have a good time.
Molly,
What fun memories! DH & I began dating a few months shy of my 15th birthday and have been together ever since. We’re soulmates for life! You’re right about dances, though. Although, everyone I went to the couples generally sat at the same table, ate, and chatted. The boys rarely danced unless it was a slow number. It was the girls who were bumping to the disco sound. 🙂
If you haven’t already, please stop by when you can to take a peek at my newest Looney Tunes Art Sketch. Foghorn’s Joke Advice. Happy A2Zing!!
Awww. Congrats on still being with your teen sweetheart. And agree about the dances. I never worried about being a wallflower, because once freestyle and line dancing took over, the girls often danced with each other if the boys were unwilling.
Our teen years were tricky weren’t they? I’m glad your teacher encouraged you to go with Guillaume. …poor lad was probably even more nervous than you. I remember seeing photos, and hearing about proms, from my US pen pals. It all sounded so glamorous. We had dances once a year with our linked boys’ school (we weren’t co-Ed). We didn’t go with a partner and it was mortifying standing like a literal wallflower waiting to be asked. I was so tall (taller than most of the boys too) I would be among the last to be asked and I imagine my “I don’t care” face probably put them off. We didn’t do informal 60s dancing in groups.
I agree that Guillaume was probably nervous, too — plus he had to start the ball rolling by asking me to go. It was fun getting all dressed up — but by the 1960s, proms seemed to be a throwback to my parents’ era of formal dates and dances and chaperones. I was over it by Senior Prom and did not attend — but that’s a story for next year’s A to Z –
Awkward is pretty much a defining paradigm of adolescence. But your memory is sweet, and it’s great you had a good time.
Thanks, Deborah. Totally agree!
The whole concept of prom night is something we came to know from American movies. We do not have this in Indian schools. You seemed to have had fun … 🙂
Btw “figuring out the rules of life” continues for life doesn’t it ?
Yes, figuring out the rules of life is a never ending process — as we have all learned during this pandemic!
I didn’t go to my prom because I didn’t have a date. I regret not going solo as I think, as you found at your junior prom, people hang out more in groups than as couples at even those formal dances. I’m sure it would have been fun. But, it wasn’t meant to be. Fortunately, I have lots of other fond memories from school.
I’m glad that you ended up having a good time at the junior prom.
Your story was one of the down sides of proms back in the day which made people feel left out. Fortunately, those rules have been relaxed and going solo is no big deal now.
Aaawww. I was born and raised in Switzerland, and “Prom” is not a thing here. I only know it from movies. So thank you for letting me part of your first date!
Did you and Guillaume end up being good buddies?
How are things today? Will girls asks boys? Can single girls just bring their female friends?
https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2021/04/a-z-2021-some-score-from-east-german.html
Guillaume and I went back to being just classmates. As for today’s proms, the rules are relaxed and teens can go solo, with friends, in traditional couples and in gender-non-conforming couples — the celebrations have become much more open and inclusive.