Glitz, glamour and glitter!
That would be a rather appropriate title for Johnston High School’s annual Holiday Ball that was held last Thursday evening inside the Grand Ballroom at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.
Perhaps never before has the event, which began back when JHS was located inside Nicholas A. Ferri Middle School and students were on double sessions, taken on such an extraordinary look that showcased the 2017 snow-filled spectacular.
“The evening was one for the books,” said Greg Russo, the JHS faculty member who again orchestrated the dinner-dance that this time included 350 students. “Tonight provided many, many marvelous memories for everyone that’s here.”
At one time, Russo recalled, the Holiday or Christmas Ball as people often call the seasonal social, was held at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet but has been held at the Crowne Plaza for the past seven years.
Perhaps last Thursday’s event, which was planned under Russo’s leadership and the talented students who make up the JHS Student Council, exceeded all expectations of even the 20 plus faculty members who showed their strong support by attending the grand gala, as did Vice Principals Dr. Donna Pennachia and Mike Mancieri.
“This is the result of the demanding task we’ve had since school opened back in September,” Russo said while offering a sneak peak to the colorful decorations inside the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. “Hats off to the Student Council; these students helped with the theme, planning and were here decorating last night.”
The first order of business featured Student Council President Phil Jessop, Vice President Emily Raposo and members Dylan Lavoie, Lauren Civetti, Manny Laurenco, Nick Petrella, Isabella Nastasi, Carlos Fragoso, Mia Ragosta and Demetri Demetropoulos setting up a 12-foot Christmas tree decorated with poinsettias in the center of the dancefloor.
In addition, those students set up and decorated six smaller Christmas trees, one each in the corners of the spacious ballroom that last Thursday evening featured 36 tables set for dinner with elegant centerpieces that were made by Cherry Hill Florists of Johnston.
“The people at Cherry Hill did a fantastic job,” Russo said. “Each centerpiece consisted of a tall vase or golden pedestal upon which was mounted winter greens topped by large poinsettias.”
Poinsettias, in fact, were the featured flower throughout the grand ballroom that also had a white fence with gold gossamer and lights surrounding the Christmas tree.
Even the photo booth area, which was set up and maintained by Mare Studios of East Providence and manned by owner Joe Sousa and several staffers, offered the look of snow at the boys and girls feet as they posed for photos in their spiffy tuxedos and lavish looking gorgeous gowns.
Students began arriving at 6:30 for photos and to find their seats on an elegant seating chart made by Lauren Civetti with help from Alfredo Garcia and Sophie Russo. Prior to the doors opening at 7:45, as students were greeted by disc jockey Ken Ferrara playing Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, most of the attendees enjoyed a large cheese, cracker and fruit display.
“The students were starry eyed when they saw the spectacular setting for the fist time,” said Russo. “Then, they dined – the main courses were chicken parmesan or tortellini with a cheese source – then danced the night away until 10:30.”
At that time, the traditional reading of “The Night Before Christmas” was done by 2017 Homecoming King Phil Jessop. When he got to the part about the reindeer, nine Student Council members pranced out on to the dance floor in advance of Santa.
“Every thing about this night was special,” Russo said. “Thank you to Santa – who was played by teacher Gary Swider – who passed out gifts to selected students.”
As Russo repeated after the fun-filled festivities, “Tonight was one for the books”, replete with voting for the Queen and King and Royal Court done by students upon their arrival at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.
“This year’s King is Phil Jessop,” Russo announced while adding “And this year’s queen is Lauren Civetti. Congratulations to you both.”
Amid the applause and cheers, Russo pulled off another surprise, as he flipped the switch on a snow machine as the royal couple began dancing to Michael Bolton’s “White Christmas” that provided an extraordinary ending to an eventful evening.
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