Prom bittersweet for Lakeview senior

COLUMBUS - This was a day she was both looking forward to, but hoping wouldn't come.

That is a feeling that might be typical of a high school senior going to prom. The big dance makes for a memorable evening, but also means high school life is coming to an end.

“I'm just really excited, but I really don't want it to be over,” Jessica Muhle, a senior at Lakeview High School, said Saturday afternoon while getting ready for the dance.

Because prom was a little later this year at Lakeview than usual, Muhle said she knew when it came around, she would have mixed feelings about it. The last day of school for Muhle is just a few days away on May 8. So after this evening is over, the next big event for her will be commencement on May 13.

But she wasn't going to let the inevitable end of high school prevent her from enjoying her senior prom. That was evident when she arrived for the dance with her boyfriend, Brandon Lundborg.

But rewind six hours earlier, and preparing for the day was just getting started.

Muhle walked in to her 2 p.m. hair appointment at Hair Forum right on time. Dressed in a pink T-shirt, shorts and flip flops, she followed hairdresser Shelly Glatter to a seat. Muhle's attire was questioned for a moment, not because it was unfashionable, but Glatter asked how Muhle was going to get her shirt over her head after her do' was finished.

With a shrug of her shoulders and saying she would just stretch the collar out, Muhle took a seat and began to flip through a few hair books because she didn't really have an idea in mind what she would like to do with her long, dark hair. After settling on one, Glatter went to work using liberal amounts of hair spray, curling irons, numerous bobby pins and a bit of teasing to come up with the perfect hairdo, with enough curls to make Shirley Temple proud.

Topping it off with a silver headband and a bit of silver sparkle spray, Muhle headed for home after spending an hour and a half at Hair Forum. At home she changed into her orange dress, one she borrowed from Natalie Brock, a friend and former Lakeview student.

She then went over to Lundborg's house to take some photos before the couple went back to Muhle's house for another round of poising and smiling for the camera.

The video tape was rolling when the boutonniere was pinned on and the corsage placed on Muhle's wrist.

“Oh, this is definitely a Kodak moment,” said Angela Muhle, Jessica's younger sister.

A series of photos were captured outside before the couple got a send-off from her parents, Paul and Sandy Muhle, as they left for dinner at Elk's Country Club.

After dinner, they headed to the school, ready to walk in the Grand March. All of those attending the dance participate in the Grand March, where they walk down the hallway and proceed to the gym. The hallway was lined with parents, siblings and friends wanting to get a glimpse of the dressed-up students and also to take photos.

Muhle said she enjoys taking part in the Grand March.

“I think it's really neat. All schools should do it. People put so much effort into getting ready,” she said.

As the students made their way into the gym, they were greeted with a Las Vegas-type of theme, “Viva La Dream.”

Parents, teachers and family members also were invited to the gym to get a look at the decorations that included large dice and tables lined with fake money and coins. There were more photographs taken by parents in the gym as the DJ started to play music, enticing couples to head out onto the dance floor.

The dance would be followed by a post-prom event at Westbrook Lanes, which Muhle said is her favorite part of prom because of the games and prizes available. It probably helps that she walked away with several prizes at last year's prom.

As the night continued to roll along, Muhle said there are a couple of things she hopes to walk away with.

“Memories and lots and lots of photos,” she said.