Finesse Salon's assistant Erika Bergsagel didn't know anything about four local high schools proms and one graduation all falling on June 14 but when she examined the schedule on May 8, there were already 10 prom hair appointments scheduled for that day and she expected more. The reason she could tell the appointments were prom appointments because they were "up-do's" where the hair is piled up. Only certain stylists can do them and they are the style at the prom.
"We have 10 already for the 14th of June, I think it will be crazy. They couldn't have planned it better?" she asked.
Apparently not, according to Tod Chappell, director of student activities at West Springfield, which has their prom that night along with Lake Braddock, Robinson, and Woodson high schools.
"Schools prefer to have them later so they don't interfere with scholastic things. After the prom, kids think it's the end of school, I truly think it's a culminating event," he said.
WEST SPRINGFIELD senior Elisa Gonzalez's graduation fever has already started.
"I'm already like that," she said.
Fairfax County Public Schools public information specialist, Paul Regnier, noted the shift in the last day of school by the superintendent and school board, moving the last day from June 18 to the 14th. It was a perk aimed at the teachers.
"It was the 18th, they shifted it to the 14th, that's the last day for all our schools. Two snow days weren't used," he said.
In addition Lee High School is having graduation that afternoon and the other four schools are having graduation that Monday. The four formal events all on one night in the same geographical area is already putting a stress on corresponding businesses and plans.
Chelsea Poling, a senior at West Springfield, had a tough time looking for a dress.
"All the dresses are like size 15," she said.
Fellow West Springfield senior Sam Jung had problems with restaurant reservations as well. Of the five he had on his list, three were all booked up so he had two to choose from.
"We planned ahead because we knew there were a few proms. We did have problems with restaurants," he said.
Jeannie Haar was using the dress she wore last year but had friends that experienced problems.
"I think it's ridiculous," she said.
Classmate Ginger Clark knows there will be problems with some couples.
"Some couples go to different schools," she said.
Lake Braddock senior Melanie Rudolph has a friend in a similar situation.
"She's going with her boyfriend who goes to Robinson," she said.
Her classmate Danielle Campbell is glad she doesn't have to make that choice.
"I would rather go to my school but I would feel bad for the guy," she said.
West Springfield senior Scott Lawler knows some friends that are dealing with multiple engagements a different way.
"A person in my class, she and her friends are going prom-hopping," she said.
Lee High School's all-night graduation party is getting in the way of some people according to West Springfield's Edward Gattis.
"My friend lost her prom date because he's going to Lee's all-night graduation party," Gattis said.
AT DAVID'S VILLAGE SHOPS in Springfield Mall, manager Rachel Freese was aware of the scheduling. Getting a dress one month ahead of time was average for the girls she thought.
"We are very slow, not a lot of people committing. Usually we're pretty much done by Memorial Day," she said.
Upstairs from David's at the After Hours by Smalls tuxedo store, Marcie Reynolds' calendar for June 14 was very busy.
"It always happens," she said, but admitted the schools should have coordinated it better.
"They should really communicate with each other," she said.
Regnier said the schools make prom plans independent of each other and graduation is additional to the school year.
"There's nothing formal on this," he said.
Reynolds' noticed the further north geographically, the later the proms seemed to be. She had some customers in from Hylton High School in Prince William County who had their prom in April.
Students who procrastinate could have a difficult time. Bergsagel knows that's inevitable. Timing is important on prom hair-do's, especially with gravity working against the "up-do's."
"If you wait till the week before [to make appointments], you won't be able to get the time you want," she said.
Eric Koston, a senior at West Springfield, already reserved his tux. He didn't have much trouble but did remain flexible. It was a guy thing.
"It wasn't that much of a hassle, you can use a different tie and stuff," he said.
Reynolds noted the trend this year is with the tie.
"They want vests and long ties," she said, but pointed out that they get their tuxes from a supplier so there is no danger of running out.
Limousines are another story. Bill Hatcher, Robinson senior, thought it was a odd coincidence when the limousine company he called only had one average limousine left but it was the same price as some of the other quotes he got.
"I started looking last week, the last place had one 12-seat left, and everyone had the same price," he said, which was $750 for one night.
"It's a lot of money to blow on one night," he said.