Pemberton Senior Prom features King, Queen
By Ebba Liguori
March 28, 150 seniors, staff members, PTEA members and dignitaries gathered in St Ann’s Social Hall for an afternoon of fun, the fifth annual senior Prom. This Prom is sponsored by a grant from the NJEA to foster student-senior relationships and community building. Each year the “We Help You” and the “Future Business Leadership Association” students at the high school plan and coordinate this special event for the seniors residing in the township. Total attendance was 175 plus about 30 students and faculty advisors. Chalk up one more successful event in the continuing relationship between the students and the seniors.
Of course a Prom King and Prom Queen were chosen by the students. The crowning was a great event when students stepped forward and crowned William Holmes as the Prom King. He is 85 years young and can still dance the twist better than anyone else. He really knows how to get “Down”, and can even get back up. Maria Nee, another octogenarian was selected as Prom Queen. They made a lovely couple as they posed for photos.
Members of the Queen’s Court were Aida Sweet, Gloria Mucci, and Charlau Stitzel. The King’s Court included Irwin Truesdell, Pest Bullock, Parnell Bethune, and Carl Kelker. The Prom Theme was “Mardi Gras” and the hall was decorated by Fran Love and her team Leon Zankiw, Jeannie DiGenova, and Dot Cerra. The craft group had prepared electrified wine bottles decorated as Mardi gras celebrants for table centerpieces. Sherry Scull and Merry Braun provided purple, green, and yellow table coverings and an assortment of Mardi gras masks for all.
Jerry Jerome of Colonial Village Caterers brought in trays of food and Arthur Gilbert was there to supervise the meal preparation and serving by the students. Enes Ring, banquet manager at St Ann, was busy throughout the day working hard to help make the evening perfect. Sean Carney, St Ann Custodian had polished the floors and helped carry heavy bundles and boxes.
Photographer, Donovan Gardner, Emmons Tech Coordinator, and his assistant, Tracy Boesman, Emmons teacher, were set up in the lobby
to take formal portraits throughout the 4 hour prom. Danny Hullings donated the use of his “Margarita Express” so alcohol-free fruit punch and
orange mango drinks were ready as “cocktails”. These cocktails were the hit of the party for both seniors and students as all sipped the “slushies”.
Alice Drakopoulis was prepared with a list of registered guests and assigned seating so she could direct student servers. Advisors
Terri Sharp and Joan Perry moved among the crowds to assure every senior’s needs were met. Merry Braun provided a computerized slide
show with photos of previous proms. She could be found almost everywhere as she completed her rounds for last minute needs.
Dawn Viveiros and her Horticultural students had prepared the corsages and boutonnières for each attendee. Rudy Zotter and his Culinary Arts
students prepared an array of desserts that rivaled any fancy French restaurant’s display. They also prepared a multi-tiered Mardi gras themed
cake which can be seen on Facebook; check out Zotter’s site. Every detail was perfect thanks to all the students and their advisors.
Special guests included Dr Michael Gorman, Superintendent of Schools, Pat Austin, Business Administrator, Michael Pinto, Media Services
and Christine Vespe, Principal of PTHS. Council Members Sherry Scull, Diane Stinney, Rick Prickett and Mayor Dave Patriarca joined seniors
for this event. School Board member Sandy Glawson and several faculty members attended. Scull was the prime organizer of the event. As
President of the PTEA, she applied for a grant from NJEA to cover the majority of the expenses. This is the fifth year NJEA has sponsored the
prom through its “Pride in Public Education” program.
Staff members Maria Martinez, Melissa Ramos, and Heidi Blankenship shared a table and were able to enjoy most of the festivities. The staff
has the most important role in making the Senior Center a premier facility. This event was spectacular because so many local residents worked
together to assure success.
Music was provided by the Palmer Jenkins Trio featuring Michael Law on percussion and retired Pemberton Music Director, Clarence Watson
on keyboard. Marilyn Marshall joined the trio as vocalist. Seniors were delighted to see Watson back in Pemberton as many of their children
had the pleasure of learning music under his direction. The dance floor was always full of seniors and students enjoying the terrific music.
Seniors’ thanks go to the PTEA, FBLA, WHY, PTHS, the NJEA who provided funding, and the staff at the St Ann Banquet Hall for their support.
Finally the clean up began, thanks to Donna Lefebvre, Ellen Clarke, and a few dedicated teachers and students who worked until the rooms were
clean. Art Gilbert remained as the clean up specialist for the kitchen area until the very end. These final tasks are perhaps the most important
part of the event.
