Dancing under the sunset on the savanna: Prom 2009 a success, according to students

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:41:16 GMT

By JENNA CARLSON

COURTESY OF JOHN VESS
Seniors Prom Queen Angela Carvahlo and Prom King Chris Wetmore share their royalty dance to the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

Holy Family juniors, seniors, their guests and teacher chaperones gathered at the Event Center at Church Ranch in Westminster on Apr. 25 for Prom. The dance began at 8 p.m. and ended at 11:30 p.m. The theme of the dance was Sunset over the Savanna. To display this theme the junior student council officers and Prom committee decorated the venue with a mural of the African savannah created by themselves and Mr. Lutgen. There were also a number of African masks and lanterns hung throughout the venue. “The decorations were awesome! The Prom committee worked hard and did a great job,” said Junior Class moderator Amy Davis. A Music + provided music for the dance, playing a variety of songs including Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” and “Just Dance,” along with 3OH!3’s “Don’t Trust Me.” Concerning the music, Junior Class Vice President Seth Wilden and junior Sean Urban agreed, “The first half of the dance, the music was good, but the last half was kind of un-danceable.” At 10:30 p.m., Junior Class President Maureen Quinlan announced seniors Chris Wetmore and Angela Carvalho as Prom king and queen. Then they, along with the other members of Prom court, danced to Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” “I was really shocked and surprised that I got Prom queen, but it was extremely flattering,” said Carvalho. When the dance ended, students were given luggage tags and gel candles. Then, students were invited to After Prom at Splitz bowling alley, also in Westminster, at 12 a.m. Here, parent volunteers along with some staff members helped administer After Prom by helping with the games, handing out prizes and checking in and out students at the door. Students were able to bowl, wacky bowl, play poker and black jack and take pictures. Pizza, soda, brownies, cake, fruit and vegetables were also available for students. Students were able to leave After Prom at either 1:30 or 3 a.m., depending on what their parents signed on the permission form. As one of the last events the seniors experienced many had different responses to the event. “I was looking forward to my last high school dance with my friends and date. I didn’t expect it to go a certain way, but it turned out to be pretty awesome,” said senior Ellen Greco.