We made it through Prom!

Ok everyone, it's been a few days, we've all finally recovered (hopefully) from Prom, and now I'd like to share some of my thoughts. We have come so far in four short years doing this event (I would like to add this is only my second year on the New Bern Pride board, so I can't claim the first two years). This is also the second year that New Bern Pride, taking over from ENC Pride, has handled the event. While there are always improvements, I do believe that this is the best Pride Prom that has been thrown in New Bern. I could be partial because of how hard I saw all of our board members and volunteers work, but everything came out better than I could've ever dreamed. From our tallies (hard to get an exact number with the vendor fair) we had close to 450 people in attendance throughout the event! Thank YOU for being there!

It  always brings me so much joy to look around a room full of people letting loose and being fully present. I loved seeing people reunite with old friends, make new friends, and even get engaged! I tried to talk to everyone I could, but there were still so many people I didn't get to. The night flew by so quickly; I wish we could have gone on until 2 AM. We’ve had the photos from the photographer for less than 24 hours, and I can’t stop pouring over them to see all the little details that I miss during the blur of the evening. 

I'd like to thank a few people that were so important to making Prom a success:

Katie for pouring her blood, sweat, and tears into all the design and spreadsheets, and taking charge of all the DETAILS, so that I could focus on fundraising and the day-to-day activities of New Bern Pride. I cannot even explain how valuable this woman is to our organization.

David for having a great idea four years ago- and sticking with us through all the changes over the years. 

Eric for being our title sponsor, two years in a row.

Lena for marshalling all of the volunteers and finding the photographer.

Jenna and Jessica C for all of the amazing decor, setup and breakdown- I wish the convention center let us decorate the walls :(

Bell and Jonathan for organizing security and stepping it up for the year to help assuage fears.

Cay, Malcolm, and Kyle for dancing your hearts out and providing us with a great show.

Marz and her troop for always throwing themselves fully into any routine we ask of them and being such loyal supporters.

Jasyn for providing us with an office and enthusiasm for our work.

DJ PKP for stepping up to the plate with such short notice and being able to change directions on the fly.

Jessica B for handling the vendor fair and answering one thousand questions.

All of our sponsors and vendors- we quite literally could not do this without you. 

And selfishly- for my partner for telling me that everything is going to be fine and this team can pull off anything.

I’m sure there is someone very important that I am forgetting, and you have my most sincere apologies.

If you’d like to be a part of this team of volunteers, please reach out to me. Like I said in my speech, we are growing, we have dreams, we have goals, and want you to come with us. 

You matter.