By Brooke Shamon, Class of 2019, Voices@Bedford High School
Seniors began their final countdown toward graduation with the BHS Fashion Show held on Friday, March 22. Glitz and glamour from David’s Bridal and Men’s Wearhouse and summer wear from Marshall’s: something for everyone. All who participated displayed a great balance of confidence and humor. The BHS fashion show was always something I wanted to be part of. I was dreaming of the day I could choose a fantasy dress from a bridal salon, pamper myself and walk the stage like I owned it! Friday night, my dream came true.
The preparation started earlier that week. Seniors were provided with a list of stores (TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, David’s Bridal, or Men’s Wearhouse), each of which would outfit up to 15 students. It was a race to the sign-up lunch tables to try and get the store you wanted. For me, that was David’s Bridal and I was able to get on the list. I was nervous about the fitting and didn’t know what to expect but it ended up being a blast! I felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City being able to choose any dress I wanted and parade around the store like a fashionista! Red, green, pink, fitted, ballgown, anything, and everything. I was dizzy with excitement!
Wednesday’s night rehearsal was a little anxiety provoking. Walking the stage, timing, hitting your marks all while the MC’s read your bio. The parents who worked on the organizing committee wrote the bios, drawing on questionnaires we each filled out trying to make as many jokes as possible (I wrote that I hoped to study in Florence and eat my weight in pasta) and adding information about our high school history and plans for the future. The MC’s were our classmates. Phew! I got through rehearsal without tripping or falling on stage.
Then it was Friday…and Show Time!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past four years at BHS, it’s that high school is not perfect. Although you try you can’t be friends with everyone. We have different activities, classes, and personalities. However, when the class comes together for a senior event all hard feelings are put aside. It doesn’t matter what sport you play or what level class you’re in. We’re here as a class, coming together to celebrate all the hard work, the long, late nights, and friendships new and old. That night all friend groups and cliques came together like a well-tailored suit.
I closed the show. This meant two things: one, I had a lot of time to panic and pace (ouch, my feet); two, I had time to sit in the back room and take it all in. During that time, I got to talk to people I’d hardly spoken to before, kids I haven’t connected with in a while, and of course, my close friends. It was a special feeling to have that opportunity.
As I walked the stage with my partner (who I was grateful to have by my side) something came over me. I felt a sense of pride. I have walked into this school for the past four years. I’ve sat in this auditorium for hundreds of events. I have experienced years of my life with these kids and their parents. In just a few months all I will have is a yearbook. Yes, I will reminisce but it will be vastly different. As I take a deep breath, I decide at that moment I am going to make the best of this walk. I threw caution to the wind and posed and strutted and even got a few laughs with my bio!
I believe every senior (class of 2020, take note!) should look at this fashion show as the beginning of a special time. It is the beginning of the end for our class at BHS and for our era as teenagers. It is a time we will never be able to return to no matter how hard we try. But we can make memories and make the best out of every moment we are together in these final days. BHS is so much more than just studying until your brain hurts or staying up late to catch up. BHS is also about friendship and family. It’s an adventure.
My advice to next year’s seniors? Don’t take it for granted. Yes, your dress may be too tight and uncomfortable and all you want to do is to slide your aching feet into slippers the second you put those heels on, but don’t spend the entire night complaining. The same advice goes for the boys! You’re going to want to look back on this night and remember it as one to smile and laugh at and maybe even cry a little over the bittersweetness of it all. You will smile at the connections you made and laugh at all the things you thought were so important “back then” (for me, it’s Noah Centineo…oops!). You will remember the strength it took to dress-up and strut out of your comfort zone. And remember, from the fashion show on, it’s full steam ahead. Ready or not, the button has been pressed and the countdown to graduation begins.
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