Prom

In the United States, and increasingly in the United Kingdom and Canada, prom is a formal (black tie) dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year (i.e., the last year of high school). Proms figure greatly in popular culture and is a major event among high school students. High school juniors attending the prom may call it "junior prom" while high-school seniors may call it "senior prom" or "senior ball". In practice, this event may be a combined junior/senior dance.

At a prom, a Prom King and Prom Queen may be revealed. These are honorary titles awarded to students elected in a school-wide vote prior to the prom, and seniors are usually awarded these titles. Juniors may also be honored, but would be called "Prom Prince" or "Prom Princess." Other students may be honored with inclusion in a "Prom Court." The selection method for a Prom Court is similar to that of Homecoming Queen/Princess, King, and Court. Inclusion in a Prom Court may be a reflection of popularity of those students elected and their level of participation in school activities, such as clubs or sports. The Prom Queen and Prom King may be given crowns to wear. Members of the Prom Court may be given sashes to wear and photographed together.

Similar events take place in many other parts of the world. In Australia and New Zealand, the terms school formal, and ball are most commonly used for occasions equivalent to the American prom, and the event is usually held for students in senior years, although in New Zealand the bestowing of the regal titles rarely, if ever occurs. For juniors there is typically a dance event by the name of a Social. It is a social event that parents usually attend. Ages that Socials are held for are from 10-14. Many schools hold a formal graduation ball for finishing students at the end of the year in place of or as well as a formal. In Ireland a debutante ball or Debs may also be held. Debutante balls are also arranged in Australia; in Poland high schools organize a "studniówka". The term "prom" is becoming more common in the UK and Canada due to the influence of US TV shows and movies but "Leavers Ball" or "Leavers Do" were more common terms.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prom