Obama Prom Photos From 1979 Released

President Obama’s prom photos from 1979 have been released. The previously unreleased pictures feature President Barack Obama, at the age of 17, dressed up and ready to for his senior prom.

One of Obama’s high school friends, Kelli Allman, provided the pictures to Time Magazine for a special feature. Obama’s date for the evening, Megan Hughes, and Allman’s date Greg Orme, also appear in the pictures.

The friends seem to be having a great time, sipping champagne before they head out for the evening. Obama wore a white jacket, navy blue shirt and pants, and a light blue tie. All four teens have big smiles and are wearing Hawaiian leis around their necks.

As reported by People.com, Allman explains that Obama spent a lot of time studying. When he was not doing school work, he was usually hanging out with his friends or playing basketball.

Obama’s prom photos clearly show that the teens were ready to celebrate the end of their senior year. Allman describes their evening together as a typical prom night, including dinner, dancing, and great times with good friends.

As reported by Time, the photos provided by Allman include a copy of a message that Obama wrote in Allman’s yearbook. It states, in part:

“You are extremely sweet and foxy … You really deserve better than clowns like us; you even laugh at my jokes … Good luck in everything you do and stay happy.”

Obama signed the message “Barry Obama.”

The pictures offer a candid glimpse into Obama’s life before he became President of the United States. At age 17, Obama certainly felt the stress of his impending graduation, and starting college. However, it is refreshing to see see him completely relaxed without the stress of running a nation on his shoulders.

Barack Obama’s prom photos are available in this week’s issue of Time Magazine.

[Image via Wikimedia]