f Spring - Chaminade High School

A Night to Remember for the Class of 2005
Over Three-Hundred Couples Enjoy Dining and Dancing at Senior Prom
G4
by Stephen O’Brien ‘06
The typical senior prom follows a rather
predictable routine. Shortly before the
festivities are about to begin, dozens
of limousines pull up to the front doors of a
catering hall, dropping off prom-goers dressed
in tuxedos and formal gowns. Couples proceed
to an ornate lobby, where they pose for
photographs before making their way to the
so-called “coketail hour,” usually a lavish array
of hot and cold hors d’ oeuvres, accompanied,
of course, by a variety of soft drinks.
About an hour later, a series of doors opens,
revealing a grand ballroom decorated in the
school colors, waiting to play host to an evening
of dancing and dining.
This year’s Senior Prom, however, saw some
new variations on the traditional prom theme.
For one thing, professional photographers
charging hefty prices for prom-picture packages
were nowhere to be found. Instead,
Tarmac moderator Bro. Stephen Balletta and
Senior Class moderator Bro. Thomas Cleary
roamed the ballroom, cameras in hand, snapping
pictures of any couple that asked to be
photographed. The next day, all the pictures
that they had taken were posted on
kodakgallery.com and snapfish.com, two
websites hyperlinked from Chaminade’s
homepage. With a simple click of the mouse,
students could order prints for about twenty
cents a copy.
By far, the biggest innovation at this year’s
Senior Prom – held on Friday, May 20 at the
Huntington Town House – was “The Flyers
Club,” which prom organizer Bro. Thomas described
as “a funky, Manhattan-style club located
at one end of the dance floor where the
seniors and their dates could hang out and enjoy
one another’s company.”
Couches upholstered in purple, crimson,
lime green, and zebra stripes were interspersed
with crimson-and-gold draped tables, and
lights positioned underneath the tables made
Samantha Hiltzik and Mike
Marmo enjoy a romantic moment
on the dance floor.
the entire Flyers Club glow. “The music, the
food, the dancing . . . it was all great,” noted
Brian McGowan, “but the best part was the
Flyers Club.”
Despite its popularity, the Flyers Club was not
the only hot spot. Many couples – close to three
hundred in all – flocked to a bountiful ice-cream
bar when it was rolled out on several banquetstyle
tables. All the popular flavors were served
with an array of toppings, allowing the promgoers
to make their own sundaes. With ice
cream, platters of pastries and cookies, and coffee
and tea, the seniors were treated to the whole
gamut of dessert delights.
The main meal pleased the prom-goers as
well. The repast consisted of a fresh-fruit appetizer;
Caesar salad; and a “Duet” of filet mignon
and chicken Merlot, served with a vegetable
medley.
Throughout the evening, prom-goers partied
and danced to the music of D.J. Mike “D.” “He
played lots of different styles of music, and I
thought he did a great job of getting people
onto their feet,” said Mike Fisher, one of several
seniors who dominated the dance floor
with dazzling moves and indisputable “cool.”
By the time the clock struck midnight and
the night’s festivities came to an end, the footloose
Flyers had danced their dates all across
the floor for several hours. Finally, the dancing
stopped, and the night concluded with a
raffle, from which seven lucky winners
emerged with brand-new iPods.
Although not everyone could leave with an
iPod, no one left empty-handed. As they made
their way from the grand ballroom, the guys
received FDNY T-shirts and a box of Krispy
Kreme donuts. As is tradition, cuddly teddy
bears were the favors for the ladies, who
seemed delighted by this thoughtful memento
of such an enjoyable evening.
“True to form,” Bro. Thomas said, “the Class
of 2005 celebrated the conclusion of their highschool
years with class, enthusiasm, and a
whole lot of fun!” Conor McDonald expressed
a similar sentiment, albeit more succinctly and
colloquially: “Dude, it was sweet!”
Above left: Decked out in their formalwear, (l.-r.) Ilana Wyler, Bobby Herrmann, R.J. Moulton, and Lea
Duranti make their grand entrance. Above right: During a quick break from dancing, T.J. Solazzo and
Regina Danca take a seat in “The Flyers Club.”
GRADUATION PULLOUT
Tarmac • July 2005