To the editor:
As chair of the Class of 2017 Junior Prom Committee I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the volunteers, contributors and businesses that helped make this event such a success.
This past Friday 272 students attended the junior prom at the West Trenton Ballroom. This year’s theme was “Into the Woods” and the students entered the banquet hall to the illusion of a forest made possible through the generosity of Anita and Ed Jackowski of Jack’s Nursery on Woosamonsa Road in Pennington.
They not only loaned us the 20-foot-high crepe myrtles, evergreens and tree stumps to make the room come alive, but had their staff deliver them to us.
Their authentic canoe served as the unique vessel and showpiece for all of the beverages.
Katie Crozier and Ben Sanford of Cugino’s Italian Market of Pennington provided the catering our event.
Their attention to detail and flexibility made organizing this event a pleasure.
From the food to the fine details of the beautiful display they exceeded all of our expectations.
Their staff was helpful and friendly and never missed a beat.
Brian Hartel of Hartel’s Tree Service of Pennington donated the tree slices used as centerpieces for each table as well as tree stumps that were decorated with white lights and mason jars filled with candles that made the grand entrance in the venue.
Barbara Rothwell Henderson of Pennington Quality Market of Pennington was wonderful and worked within our tight budget to provide the flower arrangement centerpieces full of white hydrangea that added to the elegant look to each table.
The Gingered Peach of Lawrenceville worked within our budget and provided 250 notoriously scrumptious cupcakes for dessert. They were sprinkled with an iridescent-looking sugar that gave them the look to go with the magical forest theme.
Parent volunteer Jen Moore worked tenaciously as the chairwoman for both the food and decorating committees providing ideas and then implementing the fabulous decor and organizing the parent donations of appetizers, beverages and desserts.
Decoration committee member Kathie Rigante Boyer painstakingly toiled over every piece of printing we used. From the elegant name placards to the menu cards and favor tags, each item added to the ambiance of the evening.
RSVP Committee chairperson Gail Chapman was meticulous with preparing every donation request, which was long and tedious, while always maintaining a smile and sense of humor.
Set-up and clean-up Chair Lisa Balasic orchestrated the move-in and move-out of a tremendous amount of materials that were necessary to set the theme and miraculously removed all signs we had been in the ballroom within 35 minutes of the end of the event.
HVCHS PTO President Swati Patel Joseph not only provided an excellent liaison between this committee and the PTO Executive Board, but was always willing to roll up her sleeves and get to work in any area we needed her.
To the Class of 2017 President, Madison Parker, who attended every Junior Prom meeting and other class officers Bridget Anzano, Lila Angle, Samantha Smith, Chris Walton, Katy Chapman and Radhika Purandare who helped mold the vision for this night, I thank you.
Many thanks to all of the parents who met month after month to organize and fine tune this event. This list includes Michele Sawicki, Amanda Norvelle, Lisa Donaldson, Clare Radice, Sue Moonan, Pam Raney, Sharon Voetzke and Katie Lougherty.
Thanks to Class of 2017 teacher representatives Elyssa Swern and Jay Steinberg, who trusted our committee to make this evening successful. Special thanks to HVCHS Principal Michael Daher and HVCHS Vice-Principal Trish Pinelli for their guidance and assistance.
To each of the parents who made a donation of an appetizer, dessert or made a cash donation, we couldn’t have done it without you. Due to everyone’s commitment to our community, the students had a great evening! It was wonderful to see them truly enjoying themselves. The students were polite, respectful and appreciative of the efforts that made this Junior Prom party a success.
It was a personal pleasure to work with each and every one who participated in this event and I look forward to seeing what is in store for next year’s seniors!
Carolyn Bender
Chairwoman, Junior Prom
Hopewell
