Member Moment: DAA-er Bobby Youngblood Crowned Prom King at Sunrise Rotary Adult Prom

This past New Year’s Eve, Dahlonega Art Alliance Member at Large Bobby Youngblood rang in 2026 wearing a crown — and for a great cause.

Bobby was selected as Prom King at the Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary Club’s New Year’s Eve Adult Prom, a festive fundraiser supporting Lumpkin County High School student scholarships. What began as a fun night out quickly turned into a meaningful moment of community connection, creativity, and generosity.

“I originally planned to attend the Rotary Club’s New Year’s Eve Adult Prom simply to enjoy the evening with my husband,” Bobby shared. “It sounded like a fun way to ring in the new year.” Soon after, Bobby learned that the Rotary Club was seeking candidates for Prom King and Queen, with all voting tied directly to donations — one dollar equaling one vote.

Although Bobby hadn’t worked directly with the Sunrise Rotary Club before, the decision to step forward felt aligned with both personal values and artistic mission. “I was familiar with many of the programs they support in our community and had long admired the work they do,” Bobby said. “One of Planet Acorn’s goals this year is to build bridges between different parts of the community that don’t always overlap.”

Leaning fully into the playful spirit of the event, Bobby launched a full-on (and delightfully campy) campaign — dancing through the prom, engaging guests one-on-one, and sharing Planet Acorn’s mission along the way. Small gifts of pistachios were handed out as a tongue-in-cheek promise of being “the kind of king who shares with the people,” while fellow court candidates were honored with gifts of appreciation for their time and effort.

“The event itself was a joy,” Bobby said. “We were encouraged to personally engage with attendees, which is where I felt most at home. I love an audience, and connecting one-on-one is something I truly value as a performer.”

Despite expecting to be the underdog, Bobby was genuinely surprised when their name was announced as Prom King. In total, the candidate voting raised approximately $6,800 for student scholarships — making the crown all the more meaningful.

“I walked away with a crown, some wonderful memories, and plenty of good-natured jokes around town about being called ‘Your Highness,’” Bobby reflected. “It’s all very silly — but it also represents something important: stepping into a new community, building new relationships, and showing up as both an artist and a neighbor.”

The Dahlonega Art Alliance is proud to celebrate Bobby’s recognition and the spirit of connection and service it represents. As Bobby put it best: “I’m proud to represent Planet Acorn and the arts community of Lumpkin County, and I’m always grateful to be a Dahlonega Art Alliance member.”

Congratulations, Your Highness — and thank you for showing how art, community, and a little sparkle can make a big impact.

To learn more about Dahlonega Sunrise Rotary, check out their website or Facebook.