A prom is about fun and transformation, when the teenage wardrobe is replaced by sophisticated outfits for dancing in a gym turned into an alluring oasis. The Mormon prom, held May 2 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was no exception.

Held at the church on St. Johns Lane, in Ellicott City, about 70 teens stepped into a flower-draped gym for a themed event entitled Le Jardin Secret -- the Secret Garden.

The gym's metamorphosis was assisted by blue gossamer material draped from the ceiling; lighted, garlanded archways, topiaries, potted plants of geraniums and impatients and park benches placed along the garden "path" for resting between dances.

Some teens come to the prom with dates and others with friends. The annual dance is always free, sponsored by the church which donates the decorations and refreshments.

"The kids come from all over, from Howard County high schools, some from Annapolis, Carroll County and Laurel," said adult volunteer Michelle Van Gieson, who helped transform gym into garden.

"Last year we had several Hispanic kids, so we played lots of Latin and Spanish music," said Gieson, who added the prom is very popular and some church member teens who attend also bring friends who aren't members.

But as with every prom there are rules, only for this particular dance they are standard, everyday fare for Mormons.

"We have a dress code; no spaghetti straps, nothing low cut. We tell them this in advance," Geison said. But if a girl does show up with a more relaxed style than allowed, the adults have a solution on hand.

"We have these knit like shawls, that if they come not properly dressed they can put over their shoulders," Van Geison said.

While the disc jockey plays contemporary music, the adults do screen it, barring any explicit sexual or bad language. They also make sure that the dancing is done modestly and couples don't get unacceptably close.

"Some kids attend the Mormon prom, their high school prom and our adult (dance), the Rose Ball. So the girls get a lot of use out of their prom gowns," Gieson said.

The students chose the menu, which was also French themed and included croissant sandwiches, fresh fruit, mini-éclairs and cream puffs, all topped off by not-so-Continental M&Ms.

Kelly Connor, a church member who's currently attending Bringham Young University, said she liked both the proms she attended last year as a high school senior, the Mormon prom and the prom at her high school, Reservoir High School.

Ellicott City resident Alyssa Blasko, who attended this year's prom, agreed that there was some joie de vivre at the Le Jardin Secret. The Howard High student enjoyed not only the prom, but seeing her friends looking quite different in their prom attire.

"The prom was very fun and the food was good. The gym looked so different than it usually does. It was beautiful, with flowers everywhere," she said.

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