Canton Prom Traditions are More Important than Ever After Mill Closes

Article & Photo Credits: Victoria Grace

When Amanda (one of my friends after years of working with her family) reached out to me about taking her son’s junior prom photographs, the first thing I did was check my calendar. I was open, so I told her I would love to. For his sophomore year we did his prom photos at Lake Junaluska (a popular place for Pisgah High students to go for pictures before dinner on prom days). This time, though, I had an idea.

A few weeks before she reached out the town of Canton had been told the paper plant was closing. Pisgah High School isn’t even as old as the plant. For generations, many of the students’ families had worked there. 

Even though I do photography full-time, my degree is actually in middle grades education. When I was student teaching at Canton Middle School I was told that it was particularly hard to motivate some students to participate in school because they had jobs waiting for them once they turned eighteen, and they didn’t need to graduate high school to earn a very comfortable living just like their family members had for generations before them. For many in our community, a job at the plant was the only job they ever planned to have or needed to have.

The announcement of the closure changed the trajectory of our town, and so many lives. There was never a need for a ‘Plan B’ until the news broke suddenly in Spring of 2023. So I asked Amanda if she trusted me… and if her son and his friends would be willing to take their formals with the plant in the background, since this would be the last prom Pisgah High ever hosted with the plant in operation.

After the gallery was delivered I asked Amanda, her son Camden (Pisgah High Junior), and his classmate Elizabeth a few questions about their experience since it was so atypical. 

When I asked you to trust me and take the photos with an industrial plant behind you, what was your first thought?

Elizabeth: I thought it was a great idea with being told the mill was closing. We aren’t sure what is to come for it so it gives me memories I can cherish forever.

Camden: I trusted her, 100%. She’s never steered us wrong. 

Amanda: Our family would never second-guess her! Every time Victoria has suggested something for our family we let her be the rockstar that she is! She has an eye for detail that only trust allows to flourish.

How long has your family lived in Haywood County? Do any of your relatives work at the plant?

Elizabeth: My dad is a third generation worker from his side of the family. His grandfather and father both retired from the mill. My mother’s dad also retired from the mill as well. My dad would have been at the mill for 9 years in August. 

Camden: We were all born and raised here.

Amanda: I was born and raised here. I moved away briefly for college and work experience but the community and the people of Canton brought me home. My dad and both of my grandfathers retired from the mill.

How have many of your friends or family been directly impacted by the closures?

Elizabeth: It has made a lot of uncertainty of what the next steps are for our family.  We kept our faith and trusted that my dad would find another job, which he did. 

Amanda: Unfortunately one of my closest friends' husband was employed by the mill and they are going to be relocating out of state.

Did the photos in front of the plant turn out how you thought photos in front of a plant would turn out?

Elizabeth: They turned out even better than I could’ve imagined. Victoria did a fabulous job and I am more than grateful for them and what they represent. 

Do you think the closure will impact your senior year at Pisgah?

Elizabeth: I’m not positive on how anything will change, but I know that our community will stay strong and together. Our town has made it through some of the hardest times just in the last two years. Canton will come out on top because of the people.

Camden: Some things may change but we will do our best to maintain traditions.

Is there anything you want people to know about our community and how the mill impacts our way of life?
Elizabeth: I want others to know that it is more than just a mill, it is our way of life. It’s the people and families that call Canton home. It’s Friday [night] football games with the whistle blowing when Pisgah scores. No matter what adversity has brought to us, Milltown will stick together through it all. Canton will always be Milltown and my home.

Do you have a favorite picture of Camden from the session?

Amanda: There’s one of him standing on the bridge looking down and holding his cowboy hat. I think that one captures the essence of a young man growing up in our Milltown. Country roots, blue-collar work ethic, but knows how to shine himself up for a night.