Senior prom is a bittersweet moment for most students, but for students attending this year’s proms at Lone Oak, Reidland and Heath High Schools—as well as those with fond memories of proms past—the night will be especially poignant. These mothers and daughters from each of Paducah’s soon-to-merge schools joined us at Paducah Life in a nostalgic trip down high school-memory lane; here are their photos and thoughts of proms past in honor of The Last Dance.
Senior prom is a bittersweet moment for most students, but for students attending this year’s proms at Lone Oak, Reidland and Heath High Schools—as well as those with fond memories of proms past—the night will be especially poignant. These mothers and daughters from each of Paducah’s soon-to-merge schools joined us at Paducah Life in a nostalgic trip down high school-memory lane; here are their photos and thoughts of proms past in honor of The Last Dance.
Reidland High School
Mother Debra Rudd, Class of ’72
What does being part of the RHS tradition mean to you?
It’s been hard this year knowing that the school’s not going to be there anymore, that there won’t be another Reidland football game; there won’t be another Reidland basketball game; there won’t be another Reidland prom. But I’m so proud that my daughters and I all went to the same school.
Favorite prom memory?
My junior prom, we had Terry Mike Jeffrey and the Flight 602s play, so we went with “airport” as our theme. It was so much fun!
Daughter Lauren Rudd, Class of ’01
What will you miss most about RHS?
I think we’re all afraid of missing out on that small town feeling, where you go to a dance or a football game and you know everybody there. I’m really going to miss that sense of community. For the past two years, Reidland’s really stepped up to the plate for its people that needed it—first for my friend Aaron Severns, and now for Allison’s friend Amanda Weir. When you lose the school, you kind of fear losing that community.
Favorite prom memory?
My favorite part of prom was actually decorating for it. The senior English classes would start decorating the day after spring break and wouldn’t stop until prom. For me, spending all that time with my friends every day was as fun as the actual dance!
Daughter Allison Rudd, Class of ’13
What does being part of your family’s RHS tradition mean to you?
It’s been so nice going to school and having people say, Oh you’re Lauren’s sister! or Oh, you’re Debrah’s daughter! Everyone knows us. It’s so sad that it’s ending, because I feel like we’re all one big happy family.
Best RHS memory?
Being Reidland’s last football homecoming queen, and being crowned by Reidland’s first homecoming queen, who was actually one of my mom’s best friends from school.
Heath High School
Mother Carrie Green, Class of ’89
Favorite HHS memory?:
My best memories from HHS are definitely those from being in band. In addition to doing something that I truly enjoyed, I learned some of life’s most important lessons and built lifelong friendships in band. We were The Band of Pirates, and we were great… we all had Mr. Hayes to thank for that.
What makes HHS special to you?
HHS is so special because of its students, both past and present. I will miss that sense of community spirit that is driven by generations of tradition and strong family ties.
Daughter Savannah Houser, Class of ’13
What does it mean to you to be part of the HHS tradition?
Being the last class to graduate from Heath High School is an honor. I’m proud to be a part of such a treasured memory that will mean so much to the Heath family forever more.
Favorite prom memory?
My favorite prom experience is the feeling everyone shares the day of prom. Whatever is going on in your life, you let it go. Everyone is so happy and loving, complimenting their friends and classmates. Everyone deserves to feel special the day of prom.
Lone Oak High School
Mother Lori Durbin, Class of ’82
Favorite prom memory?
My favorite memory of Lone Oak High School prom is going with the man who would be my future husband, and spending time with my friends who I loved. At the time I didn’t realize it, but we weren’t together much longer after prom. We all went our separate ways.
Daughter Alyssa Durbin, Class of ’13
What does it mean to you to be part of the last graduating class of LOHS?
It’s really kind of amazing to me that I’m the third generation of my family going to prom and graduating from Lone Oak. I feel honored to be part of the last senior class ever to graduate as a Lone Oak Purple Flash, but sad that my brother won’t get to follow in my footsteps. I just hope I’ve made my mother and grandmother both proud through the way I’ve lived my life at LOHS.
Online Extra!
Grandmother Carolyn Waters Turner,
Class of 1955
Favorite prom memory? They were not allowed to call it a dance so they had a "BANQUET" at the Irvin Cobb Hotel. They wore "formals."
