With over 570 guests, the dance floor was packed throughout the night under the red lighting of the ballroom. According to Mr. Jeff Killion, math teacher and prom chaperone, “the kids seem to all be having a good time are dancing in an ‘interesting way.’”

The atmosphere at prom was upbeat and lively. “I see people I don’t know and I’ve never talked to [but I] say hi [tonight]. I’m in that good of a mood,” said Daniella Castro (’10).

As an example of the intensity of the dance floor, Julia Susuni (’10) said, “I’m having fun because Adam Conn is sweating on me,” as other seniors also remarked of Conn’s enthusiasm and skill.

The reasons people were having such a great time varied. Kosta Vrontis (’10) said, “Just being around my friends I guess—that’s what’s fun [about prom].” But being with friends isn’t the only fun element of prom, Samantha Burns (’10) said, “It’s unity in our class.”

If the seniors were not dancing through the chaos on the dance floor, prom was still enjoyable. Zach Roomberg (’10) said, “I’m having fun because I’m not making a fool of myself.”

According to many, prom was a great way for the Class of 2010 to end their high school careers. As Kevin Tonczyczyn said, “It’s the best [senior memory] so far this year.”

Members of the senior class and their dates were served food ranging from salmon to salad, and for dessert– a congratulatory cake and a Neapolitan ice cream sundae bar.

Another special feature of this year’s senior prom was a photo booth located in the side room, where students could take pictures free of charge. These Polaroid strips were yet another way for prom guests to capture the memories of the night.

As seniors left at 10:30, they received the customary souvenir of a t-shirt, featuring the theme by being white with black writing and illustrating the class with a large outline of “2010” on the back.

Consummately, “the food was good, the music was good and the dance floor was bigger so it was more fun,” said Cara Berkowitz (’10).

The Class of 2010 certainly ended their year with class with a successful and nostalgic senior prom. 

All photos taken and assembled by Avra Bossov (’11)/ Eastside News/Features Editor

All photos assembled by Avra Bossov (’11)/ Eastside News Features Editor

Work from 3D art, Actor’s Studio I, Actor’s Studio II, Applied Technology, Chansons, Commercial Art, Computer Graphics, Concert Choir, Drafting, East Singers, Foundations of Art, Inspirations, Photography, Play Production, Small Engines, Studio Art and World of Foods were displayed for the community to see as they ate, listened to music and socialized.

“I like[d] how the different classes came together,” said Emily Schultz (’11), a student enrolled in photography and commercial art.

The setup of the room consisted of jewelry samples, photograph displays and other paintings closest to the door. To the left of the entrance, students displayed their culinary skills by offering sushi, crepes and other baked goods to guests. Next to that was a stage featuring the night’s performers from East’s music department, such as: Erica Krepow (’10), Andrew (’10) and Katherine (’11) Baloff, Mr. East-crowned Justin Singson (’10) with Knee-High Spunk member Griffin Back (’11), Belles singers Amanda Matteo (’10) and Melanie Mijares (’10) and the Inspiration Band. 

“I love the opportunity to showcase our work to the school and the community such achievements,” said Mrs. Cathy Morgan, photography and foundations of arts teacher.

Sculptures, pottery, paintings, work from computer graphics and blueprints for model homes from drafting were located toward the back and on tables in the center of the gym.

While the art show featured students’ work, another significant part of the event was P.A.V.A.S. inductions. P.A.V.A.S. stands for the Performing and Visual Arts Society, which is an organization specifically for artistically talented seniors who must be nominated by one of their art teachers. Each P.A.V.A.S. member created a mask displaying their creative vision from their selective fields that were displayed on the other side of the stage. Mr. Bill Kovnat, director of P.A.V.A.S. and photography teacher, and Morgan presented certificates to the inductees.

“It’s nice because [P.A.V.A.S.] recognizes all the hard work,” said Shayna Penn (’10), an inductee.

Kevin Charan (’10) agreed by saying: “I feel honored because not many people have the opportunity [to be inducted].”

About 150 people attended the art show, many of which were thrilled by the talent put forth by students, verbalized throughout conversations as proud parents and friends walked throughout the exhibits.

“It’s been an awesome success. I’m overwhelmed with the turnout. There are definitely more people than last year here. We’ve had more varied entertainment this year and [many] more students involved,” said Kovnat.

Congratulations to those inducted into P.A.V.A.S.:

Naomi Avner

Anna Birnbaum

Kevin Charan

Alexis Cherry

Ihoog Chung

Ryan Delaney

Spencer Diehl

Jen Donsky

Jen Epstein

Maggie Gammie

Marissa Goldberg

Francesca Greenwald

Max Gutbezahl

Justin Horowitz

Brett Israel

Marissa Johnson

Lucas Kappler

Erica Krepow

Amanda Laskey

Britnay Lazar

Lindsey Lehrman

Amanda Matteo

Kathryn McCormack

Kajhayn Mihi

Melanie Mijares

Connor Pell

Shayna Penn

Nickee Plaksen

Sarah Polekoff

Tori Powers

Matt Rodriguez

Shari Rosen

Michael Rubinson

Debra Schwarzl

Dylan Sieh

Justin Singson

Jessica Smith

Shelly Tan

Derrick Tilsner

Jacob Willson

Alyssa Zell

Sophia Zhao

According to President and Lead Anchor Justin Wachman (’10), Eastcast was cut “because the people at [central administration] don’t want to have live broadcasts on channel 19.” Due to the budget cuts, the position at Central that involved transferring Eastcast shows onto channel 19 has been terminated. Seeing as how no one else at Central knows how to utilize the technology, Eastcast has suffered.

Rather than airing weekly, the show now airs every other week, and only on YouTube. Recently, the shows have been added to eastside-online.org. Eastcast members have proposed that if they can get 100 YouTube subscribers of their show, they can prove to Central that the show should continue to be aired on channel 19.

“[Eastcast] has been around since at least the eighties. I just think it’s something that shouldn’t be tossed away,” says Wachman. “We’re trying to raise awareness about it…there’s no loss of interest in the club and we’re being forced to not put on the actual production of it and air it. We’re still doing the YouTube thing, but that loses the fun of it, it’s supposed to be on television. A bunch of students want to do it as a career and they need to gain that experience through Eastcast.”

In the past, responsibility for airing the shows on channel 19 was up to the students of Eastcast. Now that the professional position has been cut from Central, Eastcast members would ideally like the responsibility to be reinstated to the students.

Eastcast is not provided with any money; it simply wants to continue to function as it always has, even if that means the students have more accountability, because it is so important to them.

“I’ve been doing it since I was a freshman and other people have been doing it for a long time, too. This is something I’m now taking classes in and it means a lot…this is another way for kids to find out what they want to do in their future,” Wachman said. 

Students can help Eastcast try to air on television again by viewing its shows at http://www.youtube.com/cheasttv.

 The ballroom was very spacious, with two floors and a dance floor in the center. “I like the location, it’s very nice”, said Nick Birbillis (’11).

In regards to the theme, there were center pieces on every table and decorations coating the ballroom. However, while some thought the decorations were lacking others felt quite the opposite.

“I like the atmosphere,” Ashley Eng (’11) said, “It’s very party like”.

One look at the dance floor meant seeing a swamp of students moving to some beats, both old and new. Most students could be found on the dance floor throughout the evening and not many people were sitting. Of course songs like “Rude Boy” by Rhianna and “Shots” by LMFAO got the crowd going. Yet Aqua’s “Barbie Girl” and Spice Girl’s “Wannabe” were certainly crowd pleasers as well.

Katrina Hauck (’11) said, “I’m trying not to be sweaty” as she and her friends took a break from dancing.

If not on the dance floor, dinner and refreshments were being served. The evening started off with a garden salad and moved onto a dinner of a large variety. There was chicken, vegetables, ziti and more to choose from to satisfy ones hunger.

Amid the food, the music, and the decorations, the junior prom came down to one thing; friendship. Students gathered with their best group of friends and enjoyed a night of dancing and singing to some favorite tunes.

 Alexis Baker (’11) puts it best as she said, “The best thing about tonight is my friends. Without them it wouldn’t be as fun.”

Read the front page for more information about this issue and its cause: http://issuu.com/EastsideNewspaper/docs/april2010

Read the front page for more information about this issue and its cause: http://issuu.com/EastsideNewspaper/docs/april2010