By: Iliyah Williams

In honor of National Coming Out Day, the UAS Juneau Campus held its first-ever Pride Prom on Oct. 11 at the Rec Center. 

The joyful and exciting event was full of good music, smiles, and food, with many of the attendees taking advantage of the photobooth. Groups of friends old and new gathered for pictures, showing off glamorous outfits, goofy poses, and sparkling smiles. 

Memories were made and fun was had with DJ of the night Colton Babbitt, first year UAS student, playing hits from artists such as Queen, Bowie, and Clairo over the speakers. With the disco ball on full display, the crowd banded together, movin’ and groovin’ to the Cha Cha Slide. 

One student noted, “I was nervous at first, but ended up having a lot of fun. This may be the first time I’ve ever actually danced at a dance.”

The meaning behind UAS Pride Prom marks the celebration of National Coming Out Day, founded in 1988 to commemorate Oct. 11, 1987, the day the march on Washington for Gay and Lesbian rights was held.