What is a drive-through prom? Not what will be happening in Sumter.

Sometimes an original name given to an event isn't always the best choice of words.

Sumter School District's three upcoming high school proms - starting Saturday with Sumter High School - are not technically "drive-through proms" as was originally stated in a letter and were never intended to be such, according to Dana Mitchell, Sumter High's prom coordinator, who spoke Thursday and has worked to clear up confusion.

Earlier this spring, seniors at Sumter, Lakewood and Crestwood provided suggestions and feedback to their respective principals on prom-like, outdoor events with decorated areas as backdrops for taking photos with their friends on campus.

The students saw the various ideas online, Mitchell said, and the intent was never for students to stay in the car for the festivities.

"The only way for the kids to take those pictures was if they literally get out of the car," Mitchell said, "and that was something that Superintendent [Penelope] Martin-Knox felt was really a great idea if we could provide outdoor access space for them to take pictures with decorated areas."

After picture-taking and some light refreshments, students would return to their vehicles and leave campus.

The ideas came together before the superintendent's letter to students on March 30, but it turns out there was one issue: School officials did not have an actual name for the quasi-prom festivities in the age of COVID-19, according to Mitchell.

"In the process, we didn't have a real name for it once it was time for us to put the information to a letter," Mitchell said. "So, it ended up going out as a 'drive-through-style prom.' But the discussions were already had to have those picture-taking places and stuff as suggested by the members of the senior class who were surveyed by their principals."

The letter did state that principals would communicate more detailed information with students.

After the March 30 letter from the district office, Mitchell then distributed a flyer on social media and also updated the school's prom website with complete event details, she said. Mitchell is also Sumter High's Student Government Association adviser.

A 3.5-minute promotional video also aired Monday on the high school's news show, she added.

Given COVID-19 safety protocols, face masks are required as well as social distancing, and Saturday's outdoor event will be from 6 to 8 p.m.

School officials are calling the event "Prom-ish" in the model of TV shows "Black-ish" and "Mixed-ish," in terms of title.

"It's not really prom, but it's prom-like," Mitchell said. "The SGA kids actually helped me come up with that name to try to draw attention to it for kids to consider it."

"Prom-ish, The 2021 Promdemic Experience," will be held at Gamecock Gardens, at the front of the school, weather permitting, she added.

Only Sumter High juniors and seniors will be allowed to attend, and there is a $10 fee at check-in. Students must also present a photo ID for entry.

There will be five separate areas for photo-taking, she added.

A virtual "after party" on Instagram with Sumter native DJ Lord Jazz will begin at 9 p.m. and go until midnight.

Mitchell said she is unsure what attendance will be for Prom-ish. Students will probably be in the "consideration phase" up until late Saturday, depending on whether their friends decide to attend.

Mitchell added that she is thankful there is something for students in lieu of a regular prom to celebrate the year and said she is grateful for students to even consider attending. The festivities were canceled altogether last year.

"We want them to come," she said. "But we know for some parents it might be, 'I don't want you out there, given safety concerns.' For other parents, it may be, 'I don't know if this is worth getting all dressed up.'

"And that's totally OK because we are cool with either/or. But, we are just following directives and trying to have something for the students of Sumter County schools to participate in that was reflective of prom."

If there is rain Saturday, Prom-ish will move to an inside area at Sumter High.

In addition to the high school's prom, a group of parents of Sumter High seniors have also organized a "Prom Part Two" scheduled for Thursday, May 13, at The O'Donnell House in the downtown area. Coverage with more information on that event will run soon in The Sumter Item.