The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The New Providence High School PTSA held its 2012 Prom Fashion Show, “Singin’ in the Rain,” last evening, where the unusually warm winter weather was welcomed by those seniors who had volunteered to model prom dresses designed for late spring.

As NPHS Seniors prepared for their runway debut, attendees were invited to snack on appetizers and refreshments while purchasing tickets for a 50/50 raffle, vying for door prizes, and taking chances on more than 120 Tricky Tray baskets on display, all graciously donated by local shops, vendors and restaurants. Baskets that included items such as multimedia, wine, home accessories, gourmet chocolates, spa items and gift certificates, local theatre tickets, dorm accessories, camping equipment, dinner sets, food baskets, jewelry, sports club memberships, tutoring services and more, were valued between $100 and $200. Super baskets, valued over $200 each, included big ticket items such as house painting services, a deluxe coffee maker, designer handbags, Broadway tickets, a Schwinn bicycle, an iPad, e-Readers, a firepit with smores, a digital camera and printer, interior decorating services, driving school discounts, NBC studios tours, a 32” flat screen television, and of course, a prom dress of choice from La Belle Boutique in Jersey City, up to $400 in value.

“This is always our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Tina Cole, chairperson of the event. Her co-chairperson, Penny Vigilante, watched two of her sons model prom fashions in past years. “Both of them have said it’s one of the most fun events of their senior year. I’ve been a part of it for three years, and I think it’s just such a lovely evening,” she added.

NPHS seniors weren’t the only ones getting in on the act—sophomores Maggie Lust and Sam Midwinter spent their time at the event passing out flyers for their own class fundraiser. “My mother volunteered for this event last year, and, I noticed that the baskets have gotten even better,” said Maggie. “I’ll probably volunteer to be a model senior year, but right now, we’re here to raise money for our own class,” added Sam.

Finally, after prizewinners were announced and congratulated, the evening’s main event began with DJ Joe Cunder providing music for Masters of Ceremony Walter Kempner and Denise Moser, both NPHS faculty members, to strut the runway themselves in the latest prom fashions. 

NPHS seniors modeled prom dresses and tuxedos provided by Lord and Taylor of Westfield, La Belle Boutique in Jesey City, and Coleman’s Menswear and Tuxedos in Short Hills. The crowd went wild when four faculty members-turned-models took the stage: Michael Mitchell, Lindsay Wagenblast, Steven Siracusa and Leslie Ditta. Each model flaunted accessories provided by Lord and Taylor in Westfield and Ferdinand Jewelers in New Providence, where Chris Ferdinand runs the Operation Bling Foundation (“Operation Bling” has helped to provide oncology patients with jewelry and accessories to look and feel fabulous since 2008).

After the final Tricky Tray winners were announced and the last models strutted down the fabulous city-skyline-themed runway (designed by Gerri Madsen, chairperson for decorations), attendees were invited to discuss their favorite fashions over dessert and coffee.

NPHS senior Emi Scharf, modeling a fun, youthful and flirty grey dress, said, “It was interesting when they had us pick out our dress from their selection…I felt like a superstar getting ready for the runway…but the best part of the night is being able to hang out with my classmates in the back room before the event. Just us seniors.”

Scharf noted that although she adored all of the dresses provided for the 2012 Prom Fashion Show, she would be attending her prom wearing a stunning dress she is already wearing for a family member’s wedding. This generation of gals has smartly re-evaluated the saying; “You can’t wear the same dress twice!”