A peek into the secret garden
This year’s garden-themed prom will be held at the California Science Center in Downtown L.A.
April 26, 2017
While students danced among stars at Madame Tussauds last year, they will be swirling under the stars at this year’s prom.
The annual Diamond Bar High School event will be held at the Wallis Annenberg Building of the California Science Center in Exposition Park near the USC campus in downtown Los Angeles on May 13.
During the day, the Science Center is home to a variety of public exhibits, covering topics such as technology, ecology and astronomy. But the center also includes an expansive garden, thus the proms theme, “The Secret Garden.”
The title is a reference to the 1911 children’s book and the subsequent 1993 film of the same name, which tell the story of a young girl who discovers the entrance to a hidden garden.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had a prom at this location before, so in that way it’s going to be different. It’s going to be a new experience for everyone, and we’re going to make sure that everyone has a memorable time,” said Hampton Douglas, Class of 2018 president.
The California Science Center was founded in 1951 as the California Museum of Science and Industry. It includes a number of exhibits, one of the most famous being the Space Shuttle Endeavor, a retired NASA orbiter.
The Air and Aircraft exhibits also display fighter jets used throughout the 20th century, such as the 1929 Velie Monocoupe and the A-12 Blackbird, as well as a replica of the original 1902 glider created by the Wright brothers.
The Wallis Annenberg building of the Science Center was first built as the 160th Regiment State Armory in 1912. It was remodeled as the Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation in 2004.
The prom committee, which consists of 27 juniors, chose the venue in November 2015 after considering five different locations.
“What’s been exciting [in preparing for prom] is… the excitement building up for everyone, because it’s something new and Diamond Bar [High School] hasn’t ever experienced it before,” said Clarissa Hui, Class of 2018 historian.
Aside from dancing, additional activities will include pool tables, karaoke and a lounge area. There will also be bracelet and crown making stations to match the garden theme.
Tickets are $90 with an activities card and $95 without during pre-sale through April 28, and $95 with an activities card and $100 without during regular sale from May 1 through May 8.
For updates and information on the dance, students can follow @dbprom17 on Instagram.
On the Instagram page, students can also find updates and clues for the key hunt prom giveaway.
Students who find keys can redeem them to the USB room for front of the line passes for prom activities or free tickets, depending on the color of the key.