By Crystal Hayduk
It was an evening of mystery for Chelsea High School (CHS) students who attended the masquerade-themed prom at Kensington Hotel in Ann Arbor on May 4.
As 350 students entered the hotel’s elegant banquet area, wearing facades of finery, they were given Venetian masks to complete the fantasy of masquerade. According to students, the masks were a nice touch, especially for photos.
Students danced to an eclectic range of music styles, from Top 40 and pop to hip-hop. “Old school 90s music is also a favorite of the Chelsea kids,” said DJ Tomas Belba of Metro Entertainment DJ Services.
Students who needed a break from dancing or who preferred more sedate activities had their choice of board games, sitting for caricature portraits, viewing a slide show of students from days long past, or decorating mask-shaped cookies with multi-colored icings and sprinkles.
Sophomore Peggy Smith, a member of student council who attended the dance with an older friend, said the Kensington Hotel provided a beautiful environment for her first prom.
Senior class president Clara Dobos said, “The highlight of the prom was dancing with friends and seeing everyone looking their best.”
CHS teacher Shawn Sinacola was the sole prom advisor, a job shared by two in years past. Chaperone and Beach Middle School teacher Colleen Bertoni said, “She did a great job to arrange all of this singlehandedly. It’s just amazing.”
After-Prom Party
Following the prom, which ended at midnight, some students headed back to Chelsea to stop by Chelsea Lanes for the After-Prom Party. The free event, which ran from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., was already in full swing. It was open to all students in grades 9-12.
Chelsea Lanes owner Eddy Greenleaf said the party at Chelsea Lanes has happened on prom night since 1983, when his dad and one of the high school teachers came up with the plan to give the kids a safe, wholesome activity to keep the party going.
For the last 25 years, the party has been sponsored by the school’s academic learning lab (ALL) and independence hall (IH), according to CHS teacher Art Finger. “We want to do this for the kids,” he said.
Finger said Cottage Inn donated pizza; ALL and IH purchased sandwiches from Jimmy John’s. Bowling, shoes, beverages, music, and disco lights were all free for the students.
Chaperone Patty Mitchell, district paraprofessional, noted that there was minimal cell phone usage at the event. “It’s nice to see students interacting together,” she said.
Student Dante Armstrong was a first-time attendee at the bowling party. “It’s fun and the food is good,” he said.
Photos by Kate Zurenko.
Why is this a story on Google?
In response to Kay…. Because Google knows where you live and that the Update is based out of the same place. 😉