Feb 18, 2005 5 min read

The Uniontown High School Senior Prom will be held May 14 this year. Proms have been held for years, but they have changed over the years in this area, as exhibited by the Class of 2005 prom plans.

As in recent years, committee members spend hours meeting, planning and making extensive arrangements to make the evening a special memory for the graduating seniors, under the guidance of their advisor, Terry Williams.

The final fund-raiser that is planned for this committee is a Spring Prom Fashion show entitled “The Magic of the Night.” The event will host student models displaying the latest in trends for formal wear.

The show will assist students in making the important decision of formal wear for their special evening. The fashion show will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday Feb. 24, at the Margaret L. Emelson Auditorium at the Uniontown High School.

Sandra Brittingham of Rittenhouse Auctioneers will serve as the mistress of ceremonies for the event. A small admission fee will entitle participants to not only exceptional fashions, but also the opportunity to purchase bake sale items, and other opportunities that will support the committee’s endeavors.

A Chinese Auction will be held. Area businesses and individuals who are concerned with keeping Prom Night a safe event may donate items and services by calling Margaret Franks at 724-438-3662.

As a special for the night, Fox’s Pizza Den of Ohiopyle will sponsor a drawing for a free prom ticket. Participants will receive one chance for this drawing for every $5 worth of baked goods purchased at the baked goods table that evening.

Area businesses have contributed to this special event by offering services and merchandise to the committee project.

Cantalamessa & Sons of Uniontown will be fitting the gentlemen for the fashion show to highlight how men’s wear can accent the evening with style.

Two area formal wear shops will provide a variety of gorgeous gowns to be modeled. Gowns will be modeled from Conni & Franc of Morgantown, W.Va., and The White Orchid of Pleasant Hills. Both shops are only a short distance away, and the owners were willing to assist the committee’s endeavors.

“We hope that the students and parents attend this event to preview and help assist them in purchasing their wardrobes for prom night,” said Kathy Hudik, fashion show coordinator.

“The show should be a fun and helpful event as the spring season is soon to be here,” she added.

The students may purchase tickets at school. Tickets are available to the public at the door the night of the event. Anyone interested in assisting at this event is encouraged to call 724-437-3662 for more details.

This year’s plans include the traditional Grand March, which has been held in the past. As hours and dollars have been spent getting physically ready to enjoy the evening, the parents, relatives, friends and alumni can attend the Grand March for a small admission fee.

The march provides an introduction of prom participants, dressed in their splendor, marching across the stage for everyone to see.

It almost resembles a pageant with all its enthusiasm and excitement. Photographs are taken and good-byes are given, as the prom participants’ board the chartered buses to take them to Pittsburgh’s Station Square to a riverboat for nighttime cruise of dinner and dancing.

The senior class is involved in the planning of this event from early on with their class advisor guiding them through plans and fund-raisers to offset the cost of the prom.

Also involved in years of planning are the Parents of the Post Prom Committee. All senior parents are invited to participate to make the evening a special and safe event.

Although not directly involved in the arrangements for the prom, the committee members, who are concerned for the safety of their children, enthusiastically plan post-prom events.

“The idea is to keep our children safe in light of national statistics of post-prom tragedies,” said George Omiros, post-prom committee chairperson.

The committee has met during the years and most actively in this senior year to assist in the funding of these alternative events. The committee has raised money to hold various opportunities, events and bake sales. They have accepted donations of time and resources from interested parents, teachers and community individuals and organizations.

They have spent hours discussing, deciding and arranging for events for the special evening. This year’s committee heavily debated holding a pre-prom activity to involve more students than those that may attend the prom.

However, in the interest of safety, committee members decided that post-prom activities could keep the participants safely away from the dangers of the late-night roadway.

“It can be a night of excitement and experiences, when driving classy cars and being with festive friends may lead young drivers to be inattentive to the dangers of night-time driving. This is a tragedy that we want to avoid,” said Mary Anne Coffman, a committee member.

The post prom committee rents chartered buses, and the students are chauffeured to and from Pittsburgh. To avoid individuals having to travel the distance, all participants are mandated to travel via these chartered buses.

This year’s post prom events will be held at the high school after several years of hosting the activities at an out-of-town establishment.

When the chartered buses return to the school, the kids disembark, change clothes and are ready to enjoy more casual activities, food and music in set-up areas of the school.