Indian Valley community hosts its first all schools prom
By Meg Upton
“This is what community is all about,” exclaimed Megan Neer—a mom with a vision. This spring she took charge, rallied the community in Indian Valley and on the evening of Saturday, May 14, she, along with community members and families across the valley gave their children a prom to remember.
It was a long time coming. Greenville High School didn’t actually have a prom in 2021 (some PUSD schools hosted them outdoors). This year, the number of GHS students going on independent study are small, and even if Plumas Unified School District board doesn’t always recognize the symbiotic nature of Indian Valley Academy in Taylorsville with Greenville High School, community members and families who’ve grown up together, and with family members at both school systems, certainly recognize it.
Neer did. Earlier this spring she began to plan for it, enlisting help for a tri-tip dinner held at the Rock and Mineral Museum, and the procession and dance held at the Taylorsville Historic Hall and its ever bouncy floor.
“We can’t thank you enough Aaron and Megan Neer for your leadership and getting this event going for our kids! You are a Rockstar!” said happy mom Stacey Stoy.
The Indian Valley Prom was completely all schools—which meant not just the two high schools in Indian Valley but accepting students who would have been in the valley had the Dixie Fire not taken Greenville and are now attending schools outside the area.
They also invited last year’s GHS seniors who didn’t have the traditional dance in their senior year.
Nearly 60 students attended.
“This is what’s great about living in a small town. Parents getting together to host a prom for all the kids of the valley, regardless of what school they attend. They came together and pulled off the best prom these kdis could have asked for,” said mom Karisa Joseph.
There was a good deal of donations––from community members donating dresses and tuxedos––to younger siblings serving dinner––to the DJ who donated his time. Teachers chaperoned. Community members made dinner and decorated the hall.
“It was amazing,” Joseph said.
Here are some photos of the evening sent in by the community for us all to enjoy.
Taylorsville Historic Hall transforms to a night of elegance. Photo submitted
Four chefs in the outdoor kitchen (left to right): Ryan Neer, Tony Armanino, Todd Banchio, and Aaron Neer. Photo submitted
Students line up against a picturesque barn before the dance. Photo submitted
A tri-tip dinner, made by families and community members, begins the evening on Indian Valley’s young adults special night. Photo submitted
