Pennsbury Prom Prep Kicks Into High Gear In Final Days

Pennsbury High School's annual prom boasting  is in its final days of preparation. 

Art Department Chair and Faculty Prom Advisor Tony Napoli explained this year's student-picked prom theme to Levittown Patch.

"It is a broad topic which allows for the creation of murals and 3-D artwork containing worlds, imagination and heroes," Napoli said.

Alice In Wonderland, Batman, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, Avatar and other imaginary characters were pulled from the pages of fiction for a pseudo-reality night of glitz and glamour come Saturday, May 19. But this one night of fun takes months of planning.

As soon as  concluded, students, parents, staff and volunteers poured countless hours, weeks and months to make 2012's prom bigger and better.

"Parents and students work nightly and Saturdays in the B Wing of Pennsbury High School East," Napoli said. 

Each year, Napoli said a centerpiece incorporates the prom theme on a whole and this year is no exception -- a giant 3-D falcon that sits atop an illuminated 3-D moving globe.

This one item requires great attention to detail as several volunteers spend hours wiring electrical components into working order. This prop, roughly 12-feet in diameter, was hand crafted by parent volunteers with donated material such as the wood and styrofoam from local businesses, Napoli explained. He also said its been the most challenging element to construct in this year.

"The centerpiece in the lobby has many challenging components and has taken hundreds of hours to complete," Napoli said.

If he could keep anything from this year's prom, Napoli said it's the 3-D centerpiece decoration.

"I would love to keep the giant falcon in the lobby," Napoli said. "It's going to be a real jaw-dropper."

Surrounding the centerpiece will be hundreds of feet of rolled paper, transforming the school's walls into murals -- each hall with its own themed hero or fantasy. This work requires the efforts of hundreds of hands and hours to complete.

Napoli and chosen prom chairs supervise these tasks that included projecting and tracing hand-drawn images from 8.5 by 11 inches of paper onto the massive rolls of paper, some in excess of 100 feet. Next, prom chairs and their student volunteers outline and paint these vivid, and often times, original images.

Sophomore Julia McGehean spent time working on the fairies welcome sign. McGehean is one of the countless student volunteers helping to make prom a reality, and like many students volunteers, it's not even her prom year, but she said working on the mural was something she enjoyed. 

Senior Bryan McGinnis is another one of those students, except with a lot more responsibility. McGinnis said he has worked on prom preparations each year of high school. Stationed in the wrestling room one evening supervising volunteers and working alongside to complete a mural, McGinnis explained his expansive role. 

"I am the prom chair at large, so basically I am another teacher in the room. Most students come to me with any questions or help that they need. I am Napoli's right-hand man in regards to getting the students on board and keeping the flow of things," McGinnis said.

McGinnis said he intends to keep that flow going by entering the prom in style in his original float during the arrival parade preceeding the big event. 

Final Prom Preparation Days Approaching

With the final days before prom nearing, it's crunch time for all involved to get their tasks completed, of course with a little motivation.

Napoli explained, "They are really self motivated but keeping materials in stock, and food and snacks certainly help."

Some of the area's local business that are providing goods and services include MacCaffery's Catering, Marazzo's Florist and Philly Style Pretzels.

Napoli said he is not nervous about finishing on time.

"We are progressing quite nicely and I am stunned at how much help we have received from parents, teachers, administrators and school board members," Napoli said.

Some of this year’s prom entertainment comes courtesy of local radio station Wired 96.5.

"This year, we have booked The Loose Leaf Trio, Talain Rayne. We will also have a surprise recording artist provided by radio station Wired 96.5," Napoli said. "And yes, the Faculty Band will also perform."

As far as what the public should expect from this year's prom walk-through and arrival parade, Napoli said it "...should exceed anything we've done in the past."

Levittown Patch will be at this year's prom with highlights so be sure to check it out!

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