A prom is a formal dance held for high school students, typically near the end of the school year. Students dress up in fancy clothes: girls often wear elegant gowns, and boys usually wear suits or tuxedos.

Prom has become an important tradition in American high schools, especially for juniors and seniors. Students often spend weeks planning: choosing dates, picking out outfits, arranging transportation, and sometimes renting limousines. The event itself usually includes dinner, dancing, and photos. Many schools also crown a prom king and prom queen, students voted to represent their class.

For many teenagers, prom represents a milestone: a chance to celebrate friendships, mark the approaching end of high school, and create lasting memories. While the fancy clothes and elaborate preparations might seem over-the-top to outsiders, prom matters to students because it's a special occasion that acknowledges this important transition in their lives.