By Halee Elmore Foothills Focus Staff Writer S tudents, school faculty and local businesses are being significantly affected in multiple ways by Valley high schools canceling proms and other spring events due to COVID-19.Some high school students have considered hosting virtual proms via Zoom, while others have decided it would be best to wait until summer or fall semester and hold belated events.Those who have purchased prom dresses and other accessories are considering taking prom photos at home to create a feeling of normalcy.Boulder Creek senior Emma Suttell said she prefers to put the health and well-being of others before her high school experience.“If this means I have to give up an event or two to not put other people in harm’s way, so be it,” Suttell said.“I want to look back on this and see that I was always looking out for the people around me.” Teachers are feeling for their students, too.Boulder Creek government teacher Kellyanne Brown mainly teaches seniors.On the day the school closing announcement came down, Brown said, “I sat in my living room and cried for some time before checking in with my students and other teachers to ensure they were all OK.” According to Suttell, one organization, AZ Class of 2020, “has brought together student body presidents throughout Arizona to plan livestreams and events to encourage the class during this time.” To ease the pain of missing prom, Nick’s Meanswear is hosting a two-day music festival called Promchella July 17 and July 18 at an undisclosed location.

“When the concerns over large public gatherings end, and they will end, people are going to be ready to get out, see their friends and make memories,” said Josh Fink, owner of Nick’s Menswear.“Something Promchella stands for.” The event will include live music, food trucks and be a place for students to reunite and enjoy the company of their friends.The canceled events, however, trickle down to local businesses such as flower shops, hair stylists, makeup artists and tanning studios.Boulder Creek graduate Shelby Davis owns Cultivate Hair Salon in Anthem.At Cultivate Hair, the stylists are using the quarantine to learn how to create intricate styles on themselves.“As a small-business owner, this time is hard and definitely will continue to be tough, but we are much more concerned for the health and safety of our community more than when we will be able to reopen our doors.” Many local business owners and freelancers are struggling to keep afloat.Some makeup artists only work during prom season, so they’re feeling a major dent in their business.“I am typically booked all day with prom makeup,” said Pearl Espinoza, a local makeup artist.

“Right now, it is hard to not have that guaranteed income.I am starting to notice the effect of not having that income flow.” Espinoza said she feels for salons.“There is a huge chance that salons can go out of business because they do not have the revenue to pay the rent of their chairs or buildings.”.