This April, Dalton Junior High School students gathered under brilliant lights as they hosted their inaugural junior prom.

The event, themed “Enchanted,” featured a red-carpet welcome, an elegant grand piano performance, refreshments and dancing.

Action Council Sponsor and DJHS teacher Tom Lee said the City of Refuge provided the perfect venue for the school’s first junior prom.

“The city of refuge has built what can only be described as a hidden jewel of events facilities in the heart of Dalton,” Lee said.

The DJHS Action Council began planning for the junior prom early in the year.

“They had a hand in deciding everything from the facility to the theme to the custom Snapchat filters that were used the night of the event,” Lee said.

Prior to the event, students were voted on to the junior prom court.

“Students voted on candidates for prince and princess from eighth grade and for a king and queen from ninth grade,” Lee said. “That vote narrowed the choices to three. There was a vote the night of the junior prom to determine the winners, and a ceremony was held.”

King – Hayden Poe (9th grade)

Queen – Janiya Wilson (9th grade)

Prince – Slade Swaney (8th grade)

Princess – Victoria Amaro (8th grade)

Lee said the building is a renovated yarn mill with a modern industrial architecture and decor inside. Within the venue, there is a lobby, lounge, banquet hall and event hall. 

The proceeds from the rental of the venue contributed toward the City of Refuge’s mission to meet the basic needs of people in the community with the goal of equipping them to improve their current  situations.

Click here to access the gallery of photos from the event.