Langley High School’s junior-senior prom was held at the National Press Club in downtown Washington, D.C. last Saturday.
As limos, buses, and cars pulled up to a curb on 14th Street at F Street to discharge their elegantly dressed passengers under the bright lights of a marquee, a painted “Party Animal,” a donkey, stood on the sidewalk.
It was one of many symbols of a night that was made more special by its location in the capital of the United States.
Prom King Dan Giusti and Queen, Jessie Slenker, were named at midnight and crowned by Langley Principal Bill Clendaniel.
Prince and Princess, both juniors, were Noelle Janka and Sterling Montague.
School Resource Officer David Poach and Assistant Coach Kenyon Burns both wore suits for the occasion.
Most of the students went to dinner at a restaurant before the prom, and followed the event with breakfasts and spend-the-night parties.
“I just think the place was real nice, and the music was real good. It was a real fun experience for everybody,” said Aaron Charapp.
“This is one of the only times it has been downtown.
“The deejay played really good music that you could dance to. The dance floor was packed.”
The class officers picked the “City Lights” theme and chose gold, sapphire blue, and silver as the colors for the evening’s theme.
In the main ballroom, mylar balloons shaped like the moon and stars were suspended from the ceiling.
The balconies were lighted with mini-lights, as was the dance floor.
Balloon towers, illuminated from within, flanked the dance floor.
Four moon and four star balloons served as table centerpieces, prepared by Balloon Bunches in Bethesda. Washington Talent Agnecy in Rockville provided a deejay.
It takes about a year and a half to two years to plan the prom, said Charlotte Charapp, one of five senior class parents who work as a team.
The class officers helped select the music from a song sheet.
A baccalaureate service for Langley seniors is scheduled at 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 16, Father’s Day, at Providence Baptist Church in McLean.
Graduation will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, June 17, at Constitution Hall in Washington. The all-night graduation party, “Cruisin’ Outta Here,” will be held at Spring Hill Recreation Center from 11 p.m. on June 17 to 5 a.m. on June 18.
Next year’s prom will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in downtown Washington on May 31, 2003.