Katelynn Leemaster (left) and Tara Butler. (supplied photo)
BLOOMDALE — Elmwood High School celebrated its annual junior and senior prom on April 22 at the school.
The theme was “One Night in Paradise” and the auditeria was decorated with a canopy tent, balloon arch, two balloon pillars, suspended paper lanterns from the ceiling, lumineers and many lights.
The event started with the grand march beginning at 4 p.m. The community was invited to come out and view the students dressed up in their prom best. Each person/couple was announced by DJ Devin Clark.
There were 195 students and 34 chaperones including high school Principal Ty Traxler and his wife Heather, as well as former high school Principal Tom Bentley and his wife Joanna. Ryan and Cora Lee and Kristy and Chris Silverwood were two board members who chaperoned as well. Superintendent Tony Borton and his wife Kelley were also in attendance.
Cathy Harrison and her crew from Country Farmhouse catered heavy appetizers. The district’s former party planner/athletic director Michele Story flew in from Florida to help with the making and serving of the food. Shrimp cocktail, taco bar, fresh homemade pizza, loaded tater tots, chips and salsa, pretzel bites with cheese, nachos, glazed meatballs, chicken wings, fruit kabobs, teriyaki pineapple chicken skewers, and veggies and dip was served. Cheesecake with various toppings, vanilla cake, and by request, Roberta Bodnar’s marshmallow brownies, were served for dessert.
The students danced until 8 p.m. More than $4,700 in donated prizes were raffled off to the prom goers. At 8:30 p.m., those who were going to after prom stayed and those who weren’t went home.
After prom was held at Kalahari; 143 students, 18 chaperones and four bus drivers made the trip. Kalahari lasted from 10:30-1:30 a.m. and each person that attended received a full breakfast buffet which was included in the $25 ticket price. The bus arrived back at the school around 3 a.m.
Grant funding from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office allowed undercover deputies to attend prom. Wood County Sheriff’s Dep. Anthony Thompson and Lt. Jeremy Holland were there to make sure prom was a success.
(Provided by Roberta Bodnar, junior class/prom committee adviser.)
