{"id":1319660,"date":"2020-04-27T16:35:32","date_gmt":"2020-04-27T22:35:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/?p=996002"},"modified":"2020-04-27T16:35:32","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T22:35:32","slug":"always-the-alternative-yampah-takes-the-leap-into-forced-era-of-virtual-prom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/always-the-alternative-yampah-takes-the-leap-into-forced-era-of-virtual-prom\/","title":{"rendered":"Always the alternative, Yampah takes the leap into forced era of virtual prom"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image p402_hide\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-1024x573.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-1024x573.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-1536x860.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption><strong>Yampah Mountain High School&#8217;s virtual prom, April 17, 2020.<\/strong><br \/><em>Youtube screenshot<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Virtual prom might just have something on the formal in-person rite of passage for high school students.<\/p>\n<p>As awkward as that computer screen full of faces can be \u2014 including the occasional dad, little brother or pet party crasher \u2014 it might not be quite as awkward as a real high school dance.<\/p>\n<p>Just ask the newly-crowned virtual prom experts from Yampah Mountain High School in Glenwood Springs, who gave it a try recently, what they thought of the experience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was honestly really excited for prom, and was a little nervous even though I wasn\u2019t even leaving the house,\u201d Yampah sophomore Kyanna Long said. \u201cI was one of the first people on the prom call, and just started dancing. It was so much fun; just like being there.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"row gspi-donation gspi-donation-mobile p-0\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/03\/PI-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\" onclick=\"handleDonationButtonClickMidArticle()\">Donate<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p402_hide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-716x1024.jpeg\" alt class=\"wp-image-996005\" width=\"358\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-716x1024.jpeg 716w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-210x300.jpeg 210w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-768x1098.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-1075x1536.jpeg 1075w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-1433x2048.jpeg 1433w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-2-scaled.jpeg 1791w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\"><figcaption><strong>Kyanna Long in her own unique prom style.<\/strong><br \/><em>Provided<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yampah, an alternative high school in Glenwood Springs serving about 150 students from Parachute to Aspen, took the leap the night of Friday, April 17 into what might have been the first virtual prom ever \u2014 at least locally.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to adapting the school\u2019s highly personalized, hands-on learning approach to an online format, the tight-knit school has found success staying connected socially in the new virtual world brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and related school and business shutdowns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was honestly expecting more teachers than students,\u201d senior Lexi Gann said of the virtual prom. \u201cI haven\u2019t heard of any others trying it, but our school really put in the effort to make it happen. Especially for the seniors, we don\u2019t get another chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Senior Bentley Garcia was the \u201csuperstar\u201d contest winner at prom, which had about 70 participants at the height of the evening.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was just a super fun night, and very unique,\u201d he said. \u201cI talked to some friends at other schools and they were like, \u2018why are you doing that? That\u2019s so Yampah.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>By day, Jono Moreau is the photography and outdoor education instructor at Yampah, and oversees the student-run <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"HAVOC Skateboards business project (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/students-learn-business-via-skateboard-company\/\">HAVOC Skateboards business project<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>By night, the Yampah alum is an EDM (electronic dance music) DJ, and served up the dance mixes for prom night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"p402_hide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-899x1024.jpeg\" alt class=\"wp-image-996004\" width=\"450\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-899x1024.jpeg 899w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-264x300.jpeg 264w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-768x874.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-1349x1536.jpeg 1349w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3-1799x2048.jpeg 1799w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Virtualsocials-gpi-042820-3.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\"><figcaption><strong>EDM DJ and Yampah instructor Jono Moreau.<\/strong><br \/><em>Provided<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThere was no research I could find for a virtual prom, so I\u2019m thinking we\u2019re the pioneers,\u201d Moreau said. \u201cThe music is the main thing, and is the incentive to keep people participating.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat, and the Amazon gift cards we gave away,\u201d he joked. \u201cWe definitely did it Yampah style.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Prom night included the usual decorations \u2014 each to their own space, of course \u2014 a few of the students were in formal dress, while others wore wild costumes, even going to the closet to change-up the look now and then.<\/p>\n<p>There was even a virtual photo booth, and some of the moms in Yampah\u2019s Teen Parent program had their babies and toddlers along for some prom fun.<\/p>\n<div class=\"p402_hide\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div class=\"caption-container\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Unknown-4.jpeg\" alt class=\"wp-image-996006\" width=\"346\" height=\"434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Unknown-4.jpeg 691w, https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/04\/Unknown-4-239x300.jpeg 239w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\"><figcaption><strong>Yampah prom couple.<\/strong><br \/><em>Provided<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Starting Tuesday, Yampah offers its Interim Week student expeditions \u2014 a series of experiential learning offerings for students that are being done in a virtual setting this semester.<\/p>\n<p>The week includes college tours, outdoor experiences, a vision quest with Native American elders, field trips to the zoo, scuba diving, a trip to New York City, rocket-building and other science explorations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Moreau is conducting a Sound &amp; Skateboards expedition, where students will play a game of \u201cHORSE\u201d using skateboard tricks done on live video, along with music workshops and an online live performance by Colorado rap artist and Yampah alumni \u201cSuperLove.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNone of this is ideal, but from the beginning we wanted to make this as much Yampah-like as possible, given what we are faced with,\u201d Yampah Principal Leigh McGown said. \u201cIf we\u2019re stuck in a virtual environment, we wanted to do it in a way where we still have those relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That daily interaction is important for Gann and her fellow seniors, who are also busy preparing a virtual graduation celebration.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSure, we\u2019d all rather not be doing this, but it\u2019s not a bad thing,\u201d Gann said. \u201cWe\u2019re just glad to be doing something, and not be lost in our own minds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Regular coursework and classroom instruction at Yampah is now being done via Google Classroom, following the same periods as they would for in-house learning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A mix of synchronistic (real-time class meetings) and asynchronistic (completing assignments on students\u2019 own time) is also incorporated, similar to the Roaring Fork School District\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHonestly, we have learned a lot about access and will be keeping many of these methods in the future as we have gained engagement from some of our most difficult to engage,\u201d McGown said. \u201cSo there is a fit for different students, and this is meeting a new need beyond that forced upon us.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"mailto:jstroud@postindependent.com\">jstroud@postindependent.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/always-the-alternative-yampah-takes-the-leap-into-forced-era-of-virtual-prom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yampah Mountain High School&#8217;s virtual prom, April 17, 2020.Youtube screenshot Virtual prom might just have something on the formal in-person rite of passage for high school students. As awkward as that computer screen full of faces can be \u2014 including the occasional dad, little brother or pet party crasher \u2014 it might not be quite [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1319660","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-05 01:25:32","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1319660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1319660\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1319660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1319660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1319660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}