HOUSTON, TX (Oct. 22,2025) – Stop the presses and the dial-up! Children’s Museum Houston hit rewind and totally crushed it at its annual gala, “Prom Night: Party Like It’s 1999,” held Saturday, Oct.18, 2025, at The Corinthian. More than 460 guests brought the 90s nostalgia, high school flair, and big heart energy to the dance floor, raising a record-breaking $1,163,000 – the most ever raised at a Children’s Museum Houston gala!
Under the creative vision of Bergner & Johnson, The Corinthian was transformed into CMHS, a high school gym straight out of a 90s teen movie. Hand-painted pep rally banners, cootie catchers, a real basketball court dance floor, and cheeky “Librarian” and “Coach” characters set the scene as cheerleaders, Bulldogs mascot, and Worthing High School drumline kicked off the night. Guests rolled in dressed to the nines (or should we say, the 1999s) with looks inspired by pop culture icons from “Clueless” and “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.”
A photo booth complete with prom-perfect backdrop captured the best throwback looks, letting guests relive their high school yearbook moments in true 90s style.
Event chairs Kathryn and Travis Boeker and Cassandra and Ryan Dalton orchestrated a bash that had guests feeling like they were back at the top of their high school game. With Underwriting Chairs Rebecca and Bill Adler and Blair and Barry Kessler, plus Auction Chairs Tracy Northington and Nina Rand, the night was an A+ production.
Guests were greeted with Ring Pops and neon light-up flower crowns and accessories, instantly setting the tone for a night that sparkled with playful nostalgia and purpose.
Brittany Franklin served as the evening’s auctioneer, leading a live auction that had guests bidding faster than they could say “AOL Instant Messenger.” Hot-ticket items included a first pitch at a Houston Astros game (donated by the Houston Astros Foundation) and an Evolution Maverick D5 six-seat electric golf cart (donated by Ranch Water Outdoors and the Northington Family).
Guests could also snag corsages and boutonnieres (because what’s prom without flowers?) and every bloom purchase helped raise even more funds for the Museum’s educational programs.
Jackson & Company catered a three-course dinner which took taste buds on a nostalgia trip. The star of the show: melt-in-your-mouth short ribs with a red wine reduction, followed by a dessert that had everyone saying “OMG!”: homemade strawberry Pop-Tarts, a sweet nod to every 90s kid’s favorite breakfast treat. Later in the night, when the dancing hit full swing, guests refueled with late-night bites featuring savory strombolis and parmesan fries. It was the perfect fuel for those still tearing up the dance floor!
No prom is complete without a royal court. Will Northington and Ellen Bookout were crowned Prom King and Queen to the cheers (and smartphone flashes) of the crowd. The Drywater Band kept the hits spinning all night. The crowd went wild when the gala co-chairs led a “She’s All That”-inspired flash mob dance to Fatboy Slim’s “Rockafeller Skank,” which had everyone jumping like it was senior year all over again.
At the end of the night, flowers and extra corsages were donated to Bloom Again Houston, an organization that repurposes event blooms into fresh arrangements for hospitals, shelters, senior living centers, and veterans, spreading joy and new life to every petal.
As the night ended, guests discovered a sweet surprise waiting in their cars. These were treats-to-go from Dessert Gallery, a nostalgic sendoff from an evening that proved generosity never goes out of style.
The gala may have been a 90s rewind, but the impact was all about the future supporting the Museum’s mission to improve the trajectories of children in Greater Houston through innovative child-centered learning. All proceeds from the event will support Children’s Museum Houston in delivering hands-on learning experiences, engaging exhibits, and impactful educational programs that reach nearly one million children and families each year both inside the Museum and out in the community.
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