Clarkstown North Seniors Dance the Night Away at the Prom

Any glamor involving cocktail dresses, tuxedos and stretch limousines would excite a teenager. 

But for seniors of Clarkstown North High School, Friday night was their moment in the spotlight as they celebrated prom night.

There were 367 students who made an appearance at the Pearl River Hilton in fabulous stretch limousines and party buses to dance away their last day of high school classes.

 
"I hope they have a good time and enjoy this big night celebrating the end of high school," commented Christie Carroll, better known as Mrs. Carroll by her science class students. Carroll coordinated the event for the seniors alongside fellow science teacher Shayne Confrey.  
 
But for one father, this was no ordinary worrisome prom night, it was a dream come true. Domenic Bonanni, father of senior Nicholas Bonnani, wished since Nicholas was born to chauffeur his son to senior prom.

"I used to own a limo service and have been in the business for 25 years. I've always been dreaming of taking him to prom and he asked me to drive him and his friends tonight. I know them all since they were babies. I gave Nicholas the whole night free, not even tips," Bonanni joked. "I couldn't ask for a better son, I'd do anything for him."

Some students were excited to have their college friends accompany them to their high school prom. Brandon Bass, a rising sophomore at Cornell University, was asked to prom by his friend Emily Salover.

Prom night may be over, but prom weekend is just beginning for the excited seniors. Each group has their own unique plans for this weekend.

Randi Bassik and her date Elliot Lerman have one of a kind plans for this weekend with their friends. Bassik noted that after "dancing the night away to Lady Gaga," and a midnight snack at the diner, the group is getting a good night's sleep to be ready for Sunday's grand plans. The couple and their friends are heading to the city for a day full of culture, beginning with Shakespeare in the Park followed by a tour of the Museum of Modern Art. 

"We don't want to go to Wildwood ... ," Bassik noted.  

 But students already have plans not just for this weekend, but for next year as well. Ilana Cypes can't wait to start her freshman year at University of Kansas. Others are staying closer to home - like Alyx Weishaar, who is enrolling in Rockland Community College's two-year program, from which she hopes to jump-start her career in theater and make it big someday.

Principal of Clarkstown North, Harry Leonardatos, shared his opinion of the class of 2010 and his hopes for their big weekend.

"This class is one of the better classes in 22 years of my career and I'm very glad for them," he said. "Tonight is a big night, it is a rite of passage for the students. These teenagers are becoming adults. I hope everything they do after prom is safe so that I can award all the diplomas on June 22."