Huntington Prom-goers Party
the Night Away
As luck would have it last Thursday night's Huntington High School prom was held on a blistering hot day. School officials can control many things, but the weather isn't one of them. Yet, the temperatures really didn't faze nearly 300 juniors and seniors who were determined to have a good time.
Dressed in snazzy looking suits and tuxedos and dresses that ranged from hip to the truly elegant, the teenagers spent much more time on the Woodbury Country Club's dance floor than they did at their tables.
Earlier in the evening, many students participated in pre-prom parties during which their parents snapped what seemed to be a never ending series of photographs. Some couples drove themselves to the prom while others arrived in limousines or even special chartered buses.
"Prom is as fun as you make," senior Brielle Blatt said. "I had a great time with my friends because I spent most of my night on the dance floor. I got to slow dance with my best friend Andrew Phelan. What's better than that?"
Class of 2013 faculty advisors Donna Nugent and Lauren Desiderio took the lead in planning the event along with student leaders. Class of 2012 faculty advisors Camille Tedeschi and Erik Bruckbauer were there to party the night away with the seniors they have worked so closely with for the past four years.
"Prom was a wonderful night," senior Justin LoScalzo said. "It was a great experience getting to celebrate all of the achievements of our school this year with my classmates. Everyone had a fantastic time dancing, talking and recounting memories from throughout the year. Prom was certainly a night that I will never forget."
This year's prom was packed and the crowd appeared to be in a good mood from the moment it arrived. "The prom was a blast," Laurelle Byrne-Cody said. "I couldn't imagine a better way to say goodbye to my fellow students before graduation the next day. I also have few complaints because I won the 'golden ticket' and got to go for free!"
Upon arrival the prom-goers had the option of heading down to the enchanted gardens and reflecting pools for some quiet time and relaxation or staying inside in cooler temperatures and enjoying a wide selection of hors d'oeuvres and refreshments. For dinner, there were multiple choices of entrees.
Senior Lauren Boyce went home happy. "The juniors did an amazing job planning prom," she said. "Not only did they have a reasonable price for tickets, but they were even able to hand out three 'golden tickets' so three people were able to go to prom free. The venue was beautiful and I loved the photo booth idea. I am thankful that my senior prom was so wonderful and memorable."
"Prom was absolutely fantastic," senior Joseph Straub said. "The evening flew by and I wished I was able to spend more time with my friends and fellow classmates. The juniors really outdid themselves and the evening as a whole was amazing. From the food to the venue to the gifts and decorations, it was obvious that every detailed was covered and cared for. Prom was a great ending to an unbelievable high school career and an evening I will not soon forget."
Not even a malfunctioning air conditioning system could ruin the good time for the Huntington juniors and seniors. For the latter group, it marked their last evening together as a group before the following day's commencement exercises.
"The prom was a lot of fun despite the broken AC," Ms. Tedeschi said. "The Class of 2012 has been one of my favorite classes. They are truly an amazing bunch of kids. I have had a lot of fun working with them over the past four years. Erik and I have loved being their advisors. They have a lot of passion, motivation and energy which matches our personalities. I always enjoyed events with them and getting stuff done. If we gave them 25 tasks they would do it with a smile even though they may fight with each other, too, it was always out of friendship and they always accomplished their tasks."
The 2012 prom was the last one for Assistant Principal Angelo Noce, who is retiring at the end of this week. He was at the Woodbury Country Club along with Principal Carmela Leonardi, school deans Ron Wilson, Paul Caleca and Rob Gilmor and district security personnel. Even Superintendent James W. Polansky made a guest appearance.
"The prom is one of those things that I'll be able to tell my children and grandchildren about and I am truly blessed to have experienced it at Huntington," Ms. Byrne-Cody said. "Ms. Desiderio, and everyone else who helped to plan it, did a spectacular job and made it a special night for all."
Anthony Troffa spun the tunes to the delight of the prom-goers. A Huntington teacher and the G.O. co-faculty advisor, Mr. Troffa is highly regarded professional DJ and he kept the crowd hopping on the dance floor, creating an electric mood throughout the venue.
"The prom was well planned and implemented by the Class of 2013 and even though it was very hot, the kids did not complain and just enjoyed themselves and had a lot of fun," Ms. Tedeschi said. "They were respectful and well behaved. I have attended the prom every year since I started working at Huntington High School in 2002 and hope I will attend every one until I retire. I am looking forward to taking on the class of 2016 with Bruckbauer. We work well together and always have a blast with our advisories."