Dressed in shimmering finery matching last Sunday's stellar weather, Northwestern Lehigh's graduating class of 2014 celebrated one of the iconic events of high school.

Prom-goers started arriving 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, Fogelsville, ready to continue the school's tradition.

Class of 2014 President Sam Haas and his girlfriend Morgan Klotz arrived in a sleek black limousine, along with "almost everyone at my table," he said. "My Dad's friend actually owns a limo and we just paid for the driver."

The couples mingled with friends while they sipped mocktails and enjoyed pot stickers, scallops wrapped with bacon and pigs in blankets. Two crudité bars were also available.

Purple, blue and silver balloons added to the ambiance.

"We decided not to go with a theme," Haas said. "With colors, it's easier to please people. We really were interested in trying to please people as much as possible."

Class Treasurer Elizabeth Johnson, dressed in a white cloud of a dress tinted barely blue, commented on the prom.

"We used all four sections [at the Holiday Inn] to create one large ballroom to accommodate everyone comfortably," she explained.

Classic elegance was what the officers were after.

"The kids didn't give one recommendation about a theme," said class Adviser Shay Wagner. "It's about them. They didn't want to waste the money on props. The class worked very hard to raise those funds. We wanted to spend money on substance."

A total of 223 tickets were sold.

"Tickets were free if you paid your class dues, which amounted to $20 each year," Haas said. "Most of the senior class got their tickets for free."

Wearing a midnight blue dress gathered at the waist, class Secretary Melissa Smith said she had a good time at last year's prom.

"But this prom is spent with my classmates," Smith said. "Then we have four days before finals. Next to graduation, it's the last time our class will be together."

The buffet-style dinner was served at 6 p.m.

According to Haas, the buffet provided a few more options.

Prom-goers could choose from chicken marsala, baked ziti, green beans, beef tips with gravy and mashed potatoes. An ice cream sundae bar capped the dinner.

There also was an additional surprise.

"Mrs. Taylor and I ordered late night snacks, which included funnel cakes, wings and soft pretzels as a special treat that even the officers didn't know about," Wagner said.

After dinner, the soon-to-be graduates danced the night away to the music provided by Best of Times.

"Some of the kids who went to the prom last year enjoyed the music, so we wanted to go with that team again," Wagner said.

"What makes a good prom is if we have good entertainment," said Heidi Taylor, class adviser. "That's what makes a good prom."

And she should know. Taylor has been instrumental in planning more than 15 prom celebrations, seven with Wagner.

"We both have our own forte," Wagner said. "We work together seamlessly. She knows what she needs to do and I know what I need to do."

As an extra added bonus, prom guests could have their photos taken throughout the evening.

"A photographer from Lehigh Valley Photo was there the entire night," explained Taylor. "He was there from 4-6 p.m. to take portrait pictures, but you could pull him aside and he'd take [candid] pictures."

"We paid for the photographer to take pictures throughout the evening," Haas said. "Anyone could request a photo on the spot.

"He will upload them to his website for all to download and share. That eliminates the need to have your phone on you at the prom."

The prom is the culmination of years of work.

"We had to narrow down the choices [of venue] in our junior year. Zimmy [NWL Director of Activities Jason Zimmerman] had to approve each place," Haas said. "We actually confirmed the location within the first two months of senior year."

Johnson said the goal was for each senior to have free tickets.

"We could afford more hor d'oevres than we actually needed, and even an ice cream bar and mocktails," Johnson said. "That was above and beyond what was expected."

Class officers and the advisers agreed successful fundraising was key in planning the prom.

"[The class] really worked on fundraisers," Johnson said.

Quite a few underclassmen were lucky enough to celebrate with the graduating seniors. Many of them were sophomores.

Randy Belnoski accompanied Megan Grim, whom he has been dating for the last eight months.

"We're driving to the prom in a grey Ford F250 6B truck," he said before the event. "I'm looking forward to having fun with friends."

Emma Chisdak, wearing a turquoise blue dress, arrived at the Holiday Inn in a red Mustang belonging to her date, Daulton Good.

"I'm excited to see everyone," she said. "This is their last time together before graduation."

Joe Colucci attended the prom with Grace Baker, whom he has been dating for the last 18 months.

"She asked me," he said. "I'm proud of her [but] I don't want her to leave. She's going to ESU."

Raegan Axt, who accompanied Brandon Ettl, said she was looking forward to "seeing how pretty and dressed up everyone looks for the last time before graduation.

"I'm going to dance a lot and I can't wait to see my date get down and get funky," she said.

Jake Augustus, who rented a white tux with a black shirt, cut a striking pose alongside his date, Morgan Cleary, dressed elegantly in black.

"It should be a good time," he said in anticipation. "I'm looking forward to both of us getting dressed up and having a good time on a night to remember."

For Taylor, this was her last prom.

"Some of the proms I worked on were like weddings," she reminisced. "Some of these kids will never experience another event quite like their prom."

She recalled one prom at the Hilton when the DJ didn't show up.

"The DJ was coming from New Jersey, but he had the dates mixed up," she recalled.

One of the servers said her husband was a disc jockey and he could fill in.

"He came and was set up within 10 minutes," Taylor said. "When I got the bill, it was only $300."

Wagner said what is nice about the prom is meeting almost every kid.

"Seeing them outside of school all dressed up is really nice," Wagner said. "Planning this year's prom was bittersweet.

"Now, I want to take a break for a while."

Taylor waxed nostalgic thinking of all the prom parties she worked to organize.

"I loved everything about the prom," she said. "I loved taking notes and planning and constantly thinking about how we could make it better." For Taylor, it was about getting everything right.

"For me, it was about making it as elegant as possible," she said. "It comes down to the place cards on the table."