Staten Island Proms

Photos, ideas & tips on senior, high school & junior proms

Closing out prom season

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Wednesday June 25, 2008, 11:45 AM

I'd like to thank everybody, including students, faculty and catering hall employees, for allowing me to be present in witnessing, photographing and documenting a majority of the senior proms held by Staten Island high schools.

All of you have contributed to making this an enjoyable and memorable experience.

And by the way, if you've forgotten, or haven't had a chance to do so, feel free to upload your prom photos.

Thank you once again.
- Mark Stein

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Memories for a lifetime

by SILive.com

Tuesday June 24, 2008, 10:59 AM

Feel free to share your memories of prom in the comments below.

Be sure to check back next year to see how the class of 2009 and 2010 celebrate!

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At Staten Island Academy, elegance key to senior gala

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Sunday June 08, 2008, 3:49 PM

Mark SteinThe beautiful Richmond County Country Club hosted the Geranium Ball, Staten Island Academy's top senior gathering.

Usually proms are considered a celebration for soon-to-be graduates.

Staten Island Academy, however, labels its top senior gala an event for the school's community of faculty, parents, and, of course, students.

"The prom is about the community," said Head of School Diane Hulse, speaking about the Geranium Ball, a tradition which began in the 1960s. "Parents and teachers are celebrating the children."

The event was held Saturday evening at the Richmond County Country Club, Dongan Hills, just minutes from the Academy.

The school's top figure said students march in through an arch in front of parents and faculty members. It's an act of presenting the students.

"That makes it a really extraordinary event," Ms. Hulse said.

She added that the evening is a unique social gathering that helps students prepare for future events.

"This is an expectation they have to rise to," she said.

Michael Jones, director of development, defined the march best with a few simple words.

"It's an elegant atmosphere that creates an immediate tone for the event."

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New Dorp High School goes Grand

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Saturday June 07, 2008, 7:22 PM

Kudos to the seniors of New Dorp High School for picking the venue for their prom.

You probably would've thought you were at a club.

The four-story historic structure, named Grand Prospect Hall on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn, played host to New Dorp High School's senior prom Friday night.

A massive, three-story ballroom -- the main room of the Hall -- was where the 330-plus students and faculty members partied.

The theater-styled room's two floors offered open views of those below, and it was a perfect spot to see a full perspective of the prom.

"They always like this one; it's the best," said Lisa Murphy, director of student activities. "Because it's magical."

Mark SteinThe ritzy Grand Ballroom featured a spacious dancing floor for all prom attendees.

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All aboard the Cornucopia Majesty for Curtis prom

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Saturday June 07, 2008, 7:07 PM

I almost missed the boat Friday night after battling through an eternity of traffic near the Holland Tunnel.

But it was worth witnessing the last few minutes prior to Curtis High School seniors and dates boarding the Cornucopia Majesty, which was docked at Hoboken's (N.J.) 13th Street pier.

The massive white ship wasn't hard to miss upon arrival, especially with swarms of students in their finest prom attire nearby. Most took photos with teachers and other faculty members of Curtis High School, as well as each other.

Aurelia Curtis, high school principal, was glad to see the kids get ready to go as she commented on the school year.

"Great year. This has been a really great bunch of kids," she said, of course remarking on the 450-plus preparing to enjoy a final moment together.

"We're a family at Curtis," said Margarita Fernandez, a teacher at the school, describing why she and the rest of the staff took the trip out to Jersey.

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Red carpet paves the way for McKee High School prom

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Thursday June 05, 2008, 10:17 PM

As prom-goers walked up the semi-circular stairwell at the South Shore Country Club, Huguenot, they were greeted by a large sign that read "Hollywood."

A red carpet leading to the ballroom awaited guests at the top of the staircase, featuring lights and an assortment of black and red balloons.

This is the second year that the event has been held at the Huguenot location, according to Joy Feldman, coordinator of student activities (COSA) with the school.

She's been with the school for 15 years, and has coordinated the prom for two straight years. Ms. Feldman loved the Country Club as the prom venue because "It's the prettiest. We thought it was the nicest room."

In addition to dancing, the 127 attendees mingled through the area, taking pictures and enjoying the view from the balcony.

The after-prom spot was Duvet, Manhattan.

"It's nice to see all of them getting dressed up," Ms. Feldman said. "It's really lovely to see them grown up and out in the real world."

Mark SteinThe upstairs party hall at the South Shore Country Club experience a temporary Hollywood makeover for McKee High School's prom.

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A well-deserved prom for Concord High School students

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Thursday June 05, 2008, 9:22 PM

A Mardi Gras-themed celebration welcomed students of Concord High School Thursday evening at the school's prom, which was held at Ariana's Catering Hall.

Ariana's, located in New Dorp, was decorated with balloons and large painted masks. It was the first time the catering hall ever hosted a prom.

The dance included 118 people, 94 of which were students, the rest were faculty.

Holly Bonner, of Camelot, a community-based organization, helped coordinate the prom with the school. Clad in a green dress, she made sure she snapped a photo of each student and date.

"These kids deserve a prom, more than anything else," she said. "Every kid deserves a prom."

Mark SteinMardi Gras was the theme of Concord's prom, held at Ariana's Catering Hall on Thursday night.

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Graduates, faculty and parents celebrate together at Hungerford School prom

by Mark Stein / Staten Island Advance

Wednesday June 04, 2008, 7:39 PM

Cameras flashed, "Pomp and Circumstance" sounded from the DJ's speakers, and applause rang loud Wednesday night at the Labetti VFW Post for the Hungerford School senior prom.

With over 200 people cheering them on, graduates of the Hungerford School marched one-by-one down the center aisle with smiles.

After lining up together, the 41 graduates (the largest for any of the school's proms) posed for pictures, chatted with each other and then broke out into dance as the DJ switched up the playlist.

Blue and orange balloons floated around the Labetti VFW Post, Rosebank; each person seated at tables was treated to endless amounts of pasta, bread, salad and beverages.

The Hungerford School, located in Clifton, had its prom sponsored and funded by the South Shore Rotary, according to prom co-chair, David Fazio, of the Rotary.

Terrence Egan, assistant principal, was on hand to witness his daughter, Maura, take in the prom experience.

"She's all excited," Egan said. "You're happy, but you're a little sad too, because they're all moving on," he said.

Mark SteinSoon-to-be graduate Johnny Satari and his mother, Sophia Satari, were happy to take a picture together at the Hungerford Prom at the Labetti VFW Post, Rosebank.

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