相信看过High School Musical 3的人都不会忘记A night to remember这个精彩片段。女孩们华丽的晚礼服，男孩们笔挺的西装，还有灯光闪耀的舞池和永远喝不完的饮料酒水——这就是Prom, 欧美国家高中生的毕业舞会，也是许多人学生生涯中最难忘的亮点。

    In the United States and Canada, a prom (short for promenade) is a formal dance or gathering of high school students. Prom is typically held near the end of the school year and includes high school juniors and seniors. It figures greatly in popular culture and is a major event for most high school students. 

    The tradition can be traced back to co-ed banquets that nineteenth century American universities held for each year’s graduating class. A growing teenage culture pushed proms younger and younger and by the 1940s the adolescent dance we know today had almost entirely taken hold. 

    At prom, a Prom Queen and Prom King are often crowned. Other students may be honored with inclusion in a “Prom Court.” The honorary titles are awarded to students through a school-wide vote. Inclusion is a reflection of popularity of those chosen and their level of participation in school activities. 

    The British analogues to the North American event is Leavers’ Ball, Formal or, informally, Leavers’ Do. In Canada and Australia the terms Grad or Formal are commonly used and the event is usually held for those graduating high school or middle school. 

    Male guests usually dress in black or white formal wear, regardless of the time of the event.  Female guests typically wear traditional dresses.