Music pumped throughout the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom as students danced at Spectrum's Vegas-style prom Friday night.
The event was a part of Spectrum's Spring Week, which was created to help educate people on LGBTQ issues. Tyler Quear, Spectrum president, said more than 100 students attended the "High Rollers" themed event.
"The prom is great, it is very important that people can express who they are and come with who they want to," Quear said.
Quear said the event was about having fun and being social, while the drag show focused on raising money for a local charity. The turnout included a mix of members of Spectrum and the LGBTQ community, as well as heterosexual couples eager to show their support.
"I came tonight with my boyfriend, John, to support Spectrum and everything they stand for," Jessica Poore, a freshman sociology major, said.
Aside from being part of Spring Week, Quear said the prom was designed to be just like any other - it included music, dancing and crowning royalty. The difference, he said, was acceptance. The annual spring event provided an environment where students could be comfortable with their sexuality, something that may not have been found at a high school prom.
"My high school was conservative and the principal made anyone who wanted to take a same-sex partner to a dance tell him and stand out," Megan Wiseman, a senior telecommunications major, said. "It's a lot easier here."
Spectrum secretary Shelby Sanders also said she wasn't comfortable at her high school prom.
"This event is important to me because it gives me and my girlfriend a chance to go to prom together," Sanders said.
English education major Alyssa Mervin said she appreciated the welcoming environment of the Spectrum Prom.
"At this prom, I don't have to worry about people who are not accepting," Mervin said.
When it came time to crown royalty, junior social work major Charlie Edgar was named prince, Sanders was named princess, senior visual communications major Lucas Smith was named king, and sophomore theatre design and technology major Jaime Whitaker was named queen.
"It feels really good to be named queen," Whitaker said. "It surprised me. I was actually helping crown the other royalty when it happened."
Although students came to show support for Spectrum and the issues the organization represents, they also came to dance, listen to music and enjoy snacks.
"Tonight is important to me because I want to dance with my girlfriend," Alex Kelley-Leach said. "It's a great time."
Former Spectrum member Alex Bortner said she attended the event to show her support.
"This is a good group to have on campus," she said. "I was involved during my freshman year and I am glad to see how it is growing."
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