Editing Prom (section)

====Germany and Austria====
In Germany (and Austria), students celebrate their graduation from [[high school]], or [[Gymnasium (school)|Gymnasium]], with an '''Abifeier''' (from the graduation certificate or [[Abitur]]) or '''Maturaball''' (in Austria, the graduation exam is called [[Matura#Austria|Matura]]). In Germany, the events are informal and usually contain a series of student-organized activities that tend to make fun of teachers, sometimes with an extended [[hagiography]] about the favorite teacher. In Austria, the Maturaball is formal and can be seen as a synergy of proms and cotillions and often are highlights of the regional ball season (between November and the end of Carnival) referencing the glamour of the great ball tradition of the former [[Austria-Hungary|Austrian-Hungarian monarchy]]. More like the prom is the German '''Abiball''', that follows the official graduation ceremony. Here the students usually wear suits and ball gowns. The Abiball often follows a certain order with a welcome, introductions, an award ceremony for students, and sometimes an extended demonstration of all of the artistic outpourings of the students and staff. This is followed by a band (sometimes the school's own band, if there is any) or a DJ playing music, usually starting with a [[waltz]] before moving on to other dancing. Alcohol is available at these events since the [[Alcohol laws in Germany|legal drinking age in Germany]] is 16 (for beer and wine), and most graduating students are 18 or older.