MONROE, Conn. — This year’s theme for Masuk High School’s Prom is Under the Greek Sky & the Dance. Flowers and columns will adorn the Amber Room in Danbury on May 1, when members of Masuk High School’s Class of 2027’s student government decorates it for the evening.
“We wanted something to do with ‘under the stars’ and the first idea was ‘A Night Abroad,’ but that was too vague,” Class President Semia Zylick said. “We wanted a specific place for the decorations.”
Zylick sat around a table at Last Drop Coffee Shop with fellow members of the student government Friday morning. It is up to the juniors to organize Prom Night for the senior class.
Among those gathered were Vice President Tanvi Koul, Sara Bento, who is the treasurer, secretary Delaney Judge, student body representative Madison Minicus, and Ayan Kagtada, the co-historian.
The student government books the venue and puts down a deposit for the Prom a year ahead of time. Then the juniors raise money for the remaining costs and decorations.
“All the money that people donate will go toward decorations for this year, including features and add-ons, and the down payment for next year,” Zylick said.
“People’s donations are what make the night special,” Koul said. “People have donated already and shared Facebook links.”
Donations can be made right up until the night of the Prom. To donate to the cause, click here.
The Class of 2027 Student Government also held a carwash fundraiser on Oct. 26 as part of this fundraising effort. Another carwash, to be held in the Monroe Elementary School parking lot, is being planned for the spring. The date and time will be announced on the Masuk student government’s Instagram page.
Support for the cause
Student advisors helping the Class of 2027 Student Government organize the Prom are Karyn Knapik, Jennifer Raab, Lisa Pantaleo and Stephen Casinelli, an advisor last year, who decided to volunteer again this year.
“We would like to thank Flowers by Danielle,” Bento said.
The business, which is based in Trumbull, is run by Monroe parents Danielle and Jayson Farrer, whose daughter, Maddie is a Masuk senior, and son, James, is a freshman.
Flowers by Danielle is only charging for the cost of the flowers. In addition to that, the business is donating labor and the use of 11 artificial cherry blossom trees, 11 gold stands with candles, 11 fresh flower arrangements, 11 lanterns with rose petals, and 11 crystal goblets with rose petals.
The cherry trees are six feet tall and will be coming out of the tables.
“We’ll do all the setup and the teachers will help us take it down,” Jayson Farrer said, while working at Flowers by Danielle on Corporate Drive with his wife Friday afternoon. “Sometimes students help build stuff in our shop and we’ll hold it until they need it.”
The Farrers first became involved with the Masuk Prom last year, when one of their employees, Connor Fulchino, who served in the Student Government, knew the store’s inventory could help.
No letdown
The artificial cherry blossom trees will serve as centerpieces and the Masuk Student Government is planning to incorporate blues and pinks into the decorations, along with setting up backdrops for photos.
The juniors, who are all going to Prom themselves, are determined to make May 1 a memorable night, especially for the seniors.
“I feel this is a huge responsibility, because it’s the seniors’ last Prom and we don’t want them to compare it to last year’s Prom and feel it’s a letdown in any way,” Zylick said.
“It’s the biggest school dance of the year and people are putting money into how they look and what they wear,” Koul said, “and we want to make it a special night for them.”
Below are photos of Flowers by Danielle’s crystal goblets and a cherry blossom tree centerpiece:
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