Some high schoolers will have to wait a bit longer to don their tuxes and gowns.
Due to intermittent power outages after Tuesday’s storms, Freeport Area and Highlands school districts changed their planned prom schedules.
Both dances were scheduled for this weekend at the Syria Shriner’s Center in Harmar. According to the center’s events coordinator, Paulette Zanotti, power has been in and out at the facility and it’s caused a financial loss for the organization.
“We had power yesterday and we were thrilled beyond belief and made plans as normal with both proms,” Zanotti said Friday. “Then, in the middle of the night, our power went out again and we still have no power.”
Zanotti isn’t expecting to have power restored at the center until 1 p.m. Saturday.
Freeport Area School District’s Facebook page detailed a location change for prom-goers. Originally scheduled for Friday night at the Shriner’s Center, the dance was moved to Freeport Area Middle School.
“After careful consideration — and given the scheduling of flower deliveries, food service and venue arrangements — we have decided to proceed with Prom (Friday) evening at an alternative location,” the post said.
Freeport Area did not immediately return TribLive’s request for further comment.
Zanotti and her assistant will be attending Freeport Area’s prom to help serve soft drinks to students.
Despite receiving a text from West Penn Power about electricity returning Saturday afternoon, Zanotti said she’s still unsure if the power will stay on since the area is expecting more rain.
The same uncertainty led Highlands School District to reschedule its prom, she said.
“Since we couldn’t guarantee they’ll have power, they were reluctant to have it this weekend,” Zanotti said.
The district rescheduled the dance for next Saturday at the center, she said.
Highlands School District did not immediately return TribLive’s request for further comment.
Zanotti said Shriner’s operations are completely shut down until the facility can maintain consistent power.
This is one of the worst power outages she has experienced in her seven years at the center and over 20 years in the event industry, she said.
“There is a monetary loss,” Zanotti said. “We’ve lost the whole rental of the ballroom for the next two days.”
