1975 Holton-Arms School senior prom

Susan Ford, pictured here in 1974 with the cat Shan Shein, has been credited with booking the venue for the 1975 Holton-Arms School senior prom

In 1975 Susan Ford, daughter of President Gerald Ford, was in her final year of classes at Holton-Arms School. At the suggestion of her classmates, she petitioned White House Chief Usher Rex Scouten that they be permitted to hold that year's senior class prom at the White House. The request was granted on several conditions. First, no expenses associated with the dance could be borne by the United States Government. Second, all attendees were required to provide their names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers to the United States Secret Service a minimum of thirty days prior to the event. Finally, members of the band selected to perform at the prom could not have any outstanding drug charges against them. The cost of the dance, which totaled $1,300 (equivalent to $7,070 in 2022), was ultimately raised by members of the Holton-Arms School's senior class.[2][3]

President Ford and First Lady Betty Ford were out of town during the event.[2] Susan Ford planned on attending with her longtime boyfriend, Gardner Britt, but they had broken up prior to the dance; Ford went with Billy Pifer instead. Prior to the dance, Ford and Pifer, as well as three other couples, took a cruise aboard the presidential yacht USS Sequoia.[2][4] Other students had a pre-function at the Sulgrave Club.[5]

The prom committee attempted to book The Beach Boys for the dance, but were unable to secure the band. Instead, two lesser-known bands were booked: Sandcastle and the Outerspace Band, the latter of which charged a $350 (equivalent to $1,903 in 2022) performance fee.[2]

Seventy-four Holton-Arms seniors and their dates attended the dance. The event concluded at approximately 1:00 a.m., thirty minutes later than originally scheduled. Several after-parties were organized, including one in the Executive Residence.[2]

Students later expressed their approval of the event; 12th grader Ned Faruqahar described the dance as "dynamite, virtual dynamite".[5] Ford herself, however, said it was "just like any other prom".[5] As of 2015, according to Vanity Fair, it is the only high school dance ever held at the White House in that building's history.[2]

• Presidency of Gerald Ford

• A collection of newspaper clippings covering the prom
• Senior Prom at the White House - Ghosts of DC history blog