Car, Laptop Among Prizes At Post-Prom Mardi Gras

By John Voket

Some of the attendees to this year’s Newtown High School prom will arrive in the back of stretch limos, but one lucky visitor to the 2006 Post-Prom Mardi Gras will go home the winner of a car. In fact, every NHS junior and senior is welcome to attend the May 19 all-night party, regardless of whether they attended the prom.

And virtually anyone who stays until the final hour of the midnight to 5 am celebration is eligible to win the car, or any of the dozens of other prizes, which include a laptop computer, DVD/TV units, even free NHS parking passes for the next school year.

It is all part of a mission to continue, and even enhance, the fun students will have earlier in the evening, while providing a safe, drug- and alcohol-free atmosphere where participants can feast on huge quantities of free snacks, check out live music, crack up to stand-up comedy, plug in and play their favorite mp3 tracks, or just hang out and socialize.

Local surveyor Paul Brautigam, who decided to provide the new laptop computer as one of the raffle prizes, said he wanted to play a role in attracting more students to the Post-Prom Party, and keep them there until closing time.

“Every year since I was in high school, you hear about tragedies involving young people who were out on the street late at night after their prom,” Mr Brautigam said. “Thank heavens we haven’t had too many problems here in Newtown, but I wanted to do something to attract our students to this event, even if they just come specifically to try and win a free laptop.”

One Post-Prom participant will certainly be cruising the web on Mr Brautigam’s laptop, but another will be cruising around town in a free car, a 1994 Volkswagen Golf that was acquired by Jim Marcucilli of Berkshire Motors. Since he is one of the high school’s closest neighbors, Mr Marcucilli wanted to do something very special for the Post-Prom Mardi Gras.

“I really wanted to find a car that any kid would want,” Mr Marcucilli told The Bee earlier this week. “And when I was talking about it with one of my longtime clients, they said they had just the right car, and made me an offer on it I couldn’t refuse.”

Since he acquired the vehicle, which is clean and in great shape, the local businessman has been going through it with a careful eye to be sure it is in tip-top shape so the lucky winner will enjoy miles and miles of trouble-free cruising this summer and beyond.

Even a few rust spots are being repaired and repainted by fellow Sandy Hook merchant Frank Dyke at Glenn Road Auto Body.

Janis Solheim, president of Newtown High School PTSA and co-chair for the Post-Prom Party, reminds students that they can come back to the high school anytime between midnight and 1:30 am to access the event and enjoy the festivities.

“The event is, of course, open to any junior or senior who attend the prom, and their dates,” she said. “But we’re pleased to welcome any other junior or senior who wants to attend.”

According to Ms Solheim, once the students arrive, they must be present to qualify to win any raffle prizes. Any student who departs the event may not reenter, and will not be eligible for any giveaways.

“Why should they leave? We’re going to have pinball machines, inflatable jousting and an obstacle course, foosball, pop-a-shot basketball, ping-pong tables, popcorn, cotton candy and snow cone machines, pizza, soft drinks and more,” she said.

Attendees will be able to capture a memorable image of their NHS Mardi Gras experience at a free photo booth that will be available from 2:30 to 4:30 am, added co-chair Barbara Manville.

Besides dj music with an opportunity to for students to plug in and play their favorite MP3 s from their iPod or other portable device (clean versions only), there will be live comedy at 1:30 am, and live music from three bands.

Newtown Middle School social studies instructor Will Ryan will lead one of the live acts, which is comprised of students and fellow teachers. The popular 30-year-old has been a musician since he was in high school, and still takes the odd opportunity to perform.

Mr Ryan said the Post-Prom Mardi Gras was, “one gig he didn’t want to pass up.”

“We’ll probably do four or five tunes, with Mike McDonald from the high school band handling our lead vocals,” he said. Mr Ryan will be on one of two guitars, along with eighth-grader Ryan Daly on bass and possibly two drummers trading off.

He said the band is working up material from The Clash, The Killers, Velvet Revolver, and Green Day, with a possible Red Hot Chili Peppers tune in the mix.

“Most of the time when we have a school dance, we get the kids together and play a few numbers,” he said. “I hope a lot of our juniors and seniors at the Post-Prom will remember all the fun we had at our middle school dances and come out.”

Attendees are reminded that the Post-Prom Mardi Gras will apply the same rules and regulations as the prom and any other school activity regarding behavior.