Prom is coming, and with it comes lofty expectations set by pop culture and American folklore. An almost mythical part of Americana, prom is a unique blend (and clash) of tradition and modern youth culture.

That special time of every high school student's life is just around the corner for graduates-to-be at Bella Vista and Del Campo, respectively*.

It has been the centerpiece to many high school students' lives, as showcased in films such as “American Pie” and “Pretty in Pink.”

Prom isn't all glamour and whimsy though. It can be jam-packed with stress, self-doubt, and that haunting feeling that if the night doesn't go perfectly you will have forever lost an opportunity to make a great American-made moment.

Though times have changed, and with it I suspect that the theme of prom has as well.

The 1980's loved making movies in which everything hinged on prom night (likely influencing – and torturing – my psyche during my high school years).

But prom in many ways has largely been reduced to a big party hosted by an organization that invites a few people you like, and everyone you hate.

Oh yes, prom brings back such wonderful memories for me. What's glamorized in American pop culture as the best and most important night of high school is actually a marathon-test aimed to question your sanity, worth, and from some stories I've heard, sexuality.

Maybe the proms of yesteryear contained the classy wistfulness that my generation has heard tale of, but many aspects of todays prom nights differ from those of my parents.

In my experience, it seemed like the first goal of my class' prom goers was to party and find alcohol. Which hopefully leads to prom-goal number two: getting lucky. Now don't get me wrong, I do not condone this behavior, I'm merely pointing out the reality. Let's face it, this happens. In that regard prom is very much a college prep class.

But I doubt my dad chugged a Four Loco in his stretch Hummer limo on the way to prom. Then again, I don't think my dad even went to prom. (And I wonder where I get my anti-social tendencies.)

But despite the obvious changes (kids grow up so fast these days) the prom still has aspects that have leaped over the generational gap.

For instance, there's the time-honored tradition of holding your breath and whispering “steady hands, steady hands” as you try to pin the corsage on your date's chest, all while trying to ignore her dad's death-stare.

And of course, for a lucky few, there's the chance to stand in the entry hall of your date's home as she reveals her beauty at the top of the stairs, smiling at you as she gracefully walks down to greet you.

Unfortunately this is followed by fumbling to unlock the passenger door to your mid-sized sedan so that you can prove to her parents that you are a gentleman and worth their daughter's time.

So I hope Fair Oaks is ready for the month-long cavalcade that features frantic searches for dresses, tuxes, and last-minute dates.

What most of these kids don't know, however, is that the real challenge comes afterward, when they're forced to search for their dignity. 

*Note: Bella Vista's Senior Ball is May 13 and Del Campo's is June 3. And even though the official title is “ball,” I'm going to refer to the dances as “prom” for two reasons: 1) It's a term that is more engrained in American culture. 2) I don't trust myself not to make immature “ball” jokes.