In America, most high schoolers celebrate the end of the school year with a big dance called prom, but in Slovakia, prom looks a little different. Slovak prom, called Stužková (pronounced "stew-sh-ko-va") is a party thrown by the oldest students It normally takes place in the fall, and parents and teachers are invited to attend in order to celebrate students' accomplishments.
Stužková in Slovak means "ribbon ceremony," because students get green ribbons pinned on to them at the main part of the event. In Slovakia, every grade is split up into four or five classes who are each assigned a teacher that is in charge of them over their four years of high school. My mentor was the class teacher for the students who invited me to their Stužková. She and the students planned the event months in advance, organizing where it would be held, what food would be served, what skits would be performed, who would be the D.J., who would videotape the event, if there would be a photobooth and tons of other details. Their hard work paid off! The night was very emotional and well put together. At the end of Stužková, there was lots of time for dancing and hanging out with friends. My mentor and students stayed until four in the morning celebrating the end of their time in high school together!
