Karen Lake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Media Director: Santa Margarita Stake http://www.mormons.org
Possible Titles
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The Lost Art of Dating
Mormons Encourage Youth to Date
OC Mormon Prom is at the Emerald City
Written by
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Melanie Hoopes live with her husband and children in Trabuco Canyon and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Article 400 words
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Saturday, March 16, 2013, youth from over 25 congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), gathered at Santa Margarita Bell Tower for the annual Mormon Prom. Youth ages 16-18 from Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Lake Forest areas attended along with their dates and friends.
Dozens of green balloons decorated the hall, celebrating the “Emerald Ball” theme. Liz Forrest, president of the Rancho Santa Margarita Young Women, explains that so many congregations are included both to make it a more fun experience for the youth and to lessen the workload on the adults, all of whom are volunteers. “We want to provide them with a positive experience without the expense of school proms,” Forrester says. “We don’t allow sexualized dancing and insist on modest dress. Not only are these the standards of our Church, but the kids feel less intimidated in this kind of environment.”
Megan Taylor of Trabuco Canyon, was particularly excited because the Emerald Ball will be not just her first prom, but her first date. The LDS church has for decades encouraged teens to date only after they turn 16. Taylor, a cheerleader at Mission Viejo High, celebrated this milestone last month and was excited to have a date for the prom. “I didn’t really ask my parents to go on a date before now,” Taylor says. “No dating before 16 has just always been the rule in our family.”
Once they turn 16, however, youth of the church are encouraged to start dating. “We want them to learn appropriate social skills,” explains Sterling Brennan, president of the Santa Margarita congregations. “We want the young men to get used to the three P’s: plan, pay, and pair off, to consider their date’s preferences and know how to ask for a date rather than just text. We especially encourage couples to socialize in groups.”
“About 80% of the youth are here with dates,” estimates Leslie Mortensen, Young Women’s President of the Mission Viejo LDS congregations. “We feel this event is successful in promoting the lost art of dating, of planning for another’s enjoyment, and getting to know different people.” The event costs $15 per couple. “Paying is part of training for dating,” Mortensen says.
Most of the youth attending dined in groups in parents’ homes. Tammy Bailey of Mission Viejo spearheads a dinner party each year, based on the prom’s theme. This year, she turned her home into the Emerald City, complete with yellow brick road, with dinner served by the Wizard of Oz cast. Youth chipped in $10 per couple to help pay for food. “Yes, it’s a lot of work, but really fun,” Bailey says. “No time spent on the youth is ever wasted.”
Pictures
http://www.karenlake.com/press/prom2013/
1. Left to Right: Ashley Elliott, Valerie Kinnison, Madison French, Jenna Thornburg, Raquel Hoopes, Cassidy Hrabik and bottom row: David Perez, Brandon Neilson, Connor Lee, Ty Whitaker, Colin O’Brien, and Daniel Wood pose with their dates before attending the Mormon Prom in Rancho Santa Margarita. Dates pictured live in Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, RSM, Coto de Caza, Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest.
2. Valerie Kinnison, Jenna Thornburg, Raquel Hoopes, Cassidy Hrabik, Madison French pose for pictures before heading over to the “Emerald Ball” Mormon Prom in Rancho Santa Margarita.
3. McKenna Myer (Laguna Niguel) and Kenny Roberts (Aliso Viejo) pose at the regional Mormon Prom held at the Rancho Santa Margarita Bell Tower.
4. Megan Taylor from Trabuco Canyon, poses before her first date and first prom before attending the regional 2013 Mormon Prom at the Bell Tower in Rancho Santa Margarita.
5. Most of the youth attending Mormon Prom dined in groups in parents’ homes. Tammy Bailey of Mission Viejo spearheads a dinner party each year, based on the prom’s theme. This year, she turned her home into the Emerald City, complete with yellow brick road, with dinner served by the Wizard of Oz cast.
6. Youth sing along with many of the songs while enjoying the Mormon Prom
7. Teens ages 16-18 dancing at the regional Mormon Prom at the Bell Tower in Rancho Santa Margarita.
8. Melanie Hoopes live with her husband and children in Trabuco Canyon and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Lost Art of Dating
By: Melanie Hoopes
Saturday, March 16, 2013, youth from over 25 congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), gathered at Santa Margarita Bell Tower for the annual Mormon Prom.
Youth ages 16-18 from Laguna Niguel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Lake Forest areas attended along with their dates and friends.
Dozens of green balloons decorated the hall, celebrating the “Emerald Ball” theme.
Liz Forrest, president of the Rancho Santa Margarita Young Women, explains that so many congregations are included both to make it a more fun experience for the youth and to lessen the workload on the adults, all of whom are volunteers. “We want to provide them with a positive experience without the expense of school proms,” Forrester says.
“We don’t allow sexualized dancing and insist on modest dress. Not only are these the standards of our Church, but the kids feel less intimidated in this kind of environment.”
Megan Taylor of Trabuco Canyon, was particularly excited because the Emerald Ball will be not just her first prom, but her first date. The LDS church has for decades encouraged teens to date only after they turn 16. Taylor, a cheerleader at Mission Viejo High, celebrated this milestone last month and was excited to have a date for the prom. “I didn’t really ask my parents to go on a date before now,” Taylor says. “No dating before 16 has just always been the rule in our family.”
Once they turn 16, however, youth of the church are encouraged to start dating. “We want them to learn appropriate social skills,” explains Sterling Brennan, president of the Santa Margarita congregations. “We want the young men to get used to the three P’s: plan, pay, and pair off, to consider their date’s preferences and know how to ask for a date rather than just text. We especially encourage couples to socialize in groups.”
“About 80% of the youth are here with dates,” estimates Leslie Mortensen, Young Women’s President of the Mission Viejo LDS congregations. “We feel this event is successful in promoting the lost art of dating, of planning for another’s enjoyment, and getting to know different people.” The event costs $15 per couple. “Paying is part of training for dating,” Mortensen says.
Most of the youth attending dined in groups in parents’ homes. Tammy Bailey of Mission Viejo spearheads a dinner party each year, based on the prom’s theme. This year, she turned her home into the Emerald City, complete with yellow brick road, with dinner served by the Wizard of Oz cast. Youth chipped in $10 per couple to help pay for food. “Yes, it’s a lot of work, but really fun,” Bailey says. “No time spent on the youth is ever wasted.”
Youth engage in lively conversation, while enjoying a delicious meal!
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Ashley Elliott, Valerie Kinnison, Madison French, Jenna Thornburg, Raquel Hoopes, Cassidy Hrabik and bottom row: David Perez, Brandon Neilson, Connor Lee, Ty Whitaker, Colin O’Brien, and Daniel Wood pose with their dates before attending the Mormon Prom in Rancho Santa Margarita. Dates pictured live in Mission Viejo, Foothill Ranch, RSM, Coto de Caza, Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest
Melanie Hoopes live with her husband and children in Trabuco Canyon and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Article and Pictures Submitted By:
Karen Lake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Media Director: Santa Margarita Stake
http://www.mormons.org
