It had all the makings of a prom: a gymnasium-turned-magical ballroom, with white lights twinkling among star-shaped cutouts hanging from the ceiling. There were clusters of girls admiring each other’s dresses. There was a group of guys goofing around for a photo, bobbing their heads to one side in unison, reminiscent of the old Saturday Night Live sketch “A Night at the Roxbury.”

But unlike the ending to that once-popular sketch, no one will see that same group of guys banging up against the group of unsuspecting girls. In fact, there won’t be any bumping and grinding on this prom’s dance floor.

That’s because “Starry Nights,” an “alternative prom” held on April 10 in Kenosha, was co-hosted by the Kenosha and Racine Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members, or Mormons, live by strict moral standards. The event — open to both church members and non-members — upheld these values because, as the church’s younger members expressed, school-hosted proms do not. The prom was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1444 30th Ave. The Kenosha and Racine churches share the same building and co-sponsored the event.

From suggestive dancing and revealing dresses to rumors of post-prom drinking and teen sex, the teens said the overall atmosphere surrounding today’s school-hosted proms is uncomfortable for many. “Starry Nights” offered the fun and excitement of a prom but in a positive, more wholesome way.

“Here you don’t have to see the kind of inappropriate dancing that may go on at a school prom that makes you think, ‘Oh, that’s gross,’” said Preston Smith, a senior at Indian Trail Academy.

Preston said Mormons aren’t the only ones put off by this kind of behavior. Attendance at the “alternative prom” backs up his claim. It was estimated of the approximately 90 high school students there, half were non-members.

“We have friends at school who have the same values who aren’t necessarily Mormon,” said Katlyn Anichini. The senior from Central High School in Paddock Lake, who attended her school’s prom last year and plans to go again this year, said her solution to dealing with uncomfortable situations is simple. “Just do your own thing,” she said.

Steven Uttech, a Tremper High School senior, agreed. “You may look over, but then you’re like ‘OK, whatever,’ and you do your own thing.”

Smith, Anichini and Uttech all were involved with planning “Starry Nights,” with their work beginning back in February. With only two months to figure out the details, the planning committe relied on the example set by other churches that had hosted similar dances.

“We thought we’d just try it and see who would show up,” Anichini said.

And just who showed up? Youth from as close as Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee and some from as far away as Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, and even Buffalo Grove, Ill. By 8 p.m. the music was booming and a crowd of teens packed the dance floor.

But if most of the dancing at school proms is considered inappropriate by Mormon standards, what is allowed? A waiver non-members were required to sign to attend stated, “when dancing, avoid full body contact with your partner. Do not use positions or moves that are suggestive of sexual behavior.”

This comes from a booklet the church distributes to its youth titled “For the Strength of our Youth.” The booklet quotes various scripture from the Bible and Book of Mormon. Among other things, it outlines how youth should conduct themselves in a variety of areas, including music and dance and dress and appearance.

Like the dancing standards, clothing standards for the night came from the booklet. Boys had to wear a suit coat, tie or formal attire. Dresses needed to be knee length or longer, have capped sleeves and not have low-cut fronts or backs. For anyone who arrived in questionable attire, there was a “modesty room” where boys could borrow a tie or jacket and girls a shrug or shawl.

Many Mormon girls use shrugs and shawls because finding a “modest” evening gown is so difficult.

“I don’t know anyplace that sells a dress with sleeves. So for me, I always have to find a shrug or a sweater, and even then it’s hard to find one that matches or looks good with the dress,” Anichini said.

That’s why she also uses another route. This time, she went online to modest dress Web sites to find the teal blue dress she wore.

But modesty can come with a price.

“It’s pretty expensive, like $200,”Anichini said. “But my mom said if that’s what it takes to be modest, it’s worth it because you know you’re setting an example for other people.”

More importantly, Anichini said she wants to feel good about herself. So she follows the same clothing standards even when attending her school’s dances.

Anichini, Smith and Uttech said many of their friends share their same values — even if they don’t share the same faith — and were receptive to an invitation to “Starry Nights.” Uttech brought some of his track teammates. Smith brought his girlfriend. None are members of the church.

One of next year’s goals is to make the event even more inclusive. With help from networking sites like Facebook — which helped advertise “Starry Nights” and will post pictures following the prom — the planning committee hopes word will spread even further and attract youth from more areas, more schools and even other faiths.

“Here you just get to enjoy the environment, have fun and come together as a group with the same standards,” Smith said. “And you don’t have to worry about anyone looking at you like you’re weird because of those standards.”