Both schools broke the 3,600-vote level Wednesday, with Monroe going over 3,700 by 5 p.m.

The Monroe High School junior class entered into the prom contest on the Stumps Prom decoration Web site as a way to raise money.

If Monroe receives the most votes in Wisconsin, the class receives a $1,000 gift certificate to use for its decoration expense for post prom in May.

On Tuesday afternoon, Monroe pulled ahead for a short period of time, and by Wednesday morning had pulled ahead with a nice lead. But Bradford had a big burst of votes Wednesday afternoon. Monroe lagged by 50 votes at 4 p.m. and then leaped to a 45-vote lead by 4:30 p.m.

The contest ends Friday.

Tom Miller, Monroe, has been following the voting results closely. "Size-wise, Monroe again is the underdog," he said. "I think the Junior class of Monroe can use everyone's help to keep the lead and win this $1,000 for prom decorations."

Miller found information on the Internet to compare the population of the two cities and their high schools. The population for Kenosha is 96,240, and the population of Monroe is 10,843. Monroe High School has 719 students in grades 6-12; Bradford High has 2,400 students in grades 9-12.

Miller remains confident the juniors can win the contest.

"This contest for the prom decorations has brought back memories of two years ago when Monroe and the surrounding area worked together to help MASE win a national contest for $10,000 of equipment for Honey Creek Skate Park in the Vitaball-Great SK8 Giveaway contest," he said.

"Monroe pulled together in 2007 to win that contest for the youth of Monroe, so spread the word these last few days to win this contest for the youth," he said.

After The Monroe Times ran an article about the contest Feb. 27, Monroe rallied in the vote totals. In the weeks prior, Monroe led Wisconsin in votes, but Bradford High School had passed it with a 300-plus lead.

Anyone can vote at the Stumps Web site.

One vote per day can be cast from each IP address until midnight Friday. The 2009 Post Prom Sponsor-Prize Committee is encouraging everyone to vote daily from home and at work (if allowed), and to pass the Web site information on to grandparents, relatives and friends.

Out-of-staters can vote in Wisconsin's contest. The Web site is http://www.stumpsprom.com/service.cfm?page=votepromusa (Or find the icon link for Proms Across America at the Stumpsprom.com home page.)

Scroll down to WI and click Monroe High School - Monroe

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click VOTE!

For more information about Post Prom or donations, contact Jeanne Hermanson at 214-4889 or Donna Geissbuhler at 325-6223.