Probably like most of you, I am still recovering from a very full holiday weekend. We hit the ground running on Saturday in preparation for senior prom Saturday night followed by Prom Plus over at the YMCA. This was sort of a bittersweet prom for the Goldsworthy Family as our last son is graduating from CVHS this year and this was “his” prom. Unlike my other boys, I was “allowed” to drive him to the home of his prom date, take pictures, then head over to three more locations, settling at the last for the final round of pictures and for the limousine to pick them all up.

Standing on the front lawn of this last destination, I looked at all the girls and boys – young ladies and gentlemen – and was awed at how lovely they were and how many of them I had seen grow up over the last 12 years.

Danny had attended Monte Vista with Stevie and twins Ben and Molly. He had been driven over to Corinna’s house several times over the years for school projects. He had played basketball with Nick for more years than I can count. And there they were, all decked out, laughing and kidding with each other, sharing years of memories.

After sending them off, attention was turned back to the YMCA to finish preparations for the barrage of kids we knew would be arriving following prom.

The YMCA has generously provided a home for Prom Plus for the last several years and with all the activities that we offer the kids, we use a good portion of the facilities.

For Prom Plus, the main room was transformed into a casino manned by parent and alumni volunteers. It was great to see Courtney, who graduated four years ago and attended Prom Plus as a senior, dealing cards across from his sister Anneke who is graduating this year.

Just outside the main room in the hall were two caricaturists from Universal Studios ready to sketch attendees, giving them a memento that will last forever.

The courtyard had been transformed, a large canopy extending from one end to the other decorated with twinkly lights. Smoothie drinks were prepared all night next to a table with a chocolate fountain surrounded by premium “dipping” foods like strawberries, pretzels and angel food cake. Other tables were laden with food, too, from Korean mondue to All-American hot dogs and pizza.

Tucked to one side was Gary Ireland who donates his time every year performing magic that enthralls the kids. Around the corner from him was Sabrina Walentynowicz, beautifully outfitted in gypsy garb, prepared to tell attendees their (good) fortune.

In the upper parking lot kids were standing in line for the rock climbing wall, mechanical bull, Super Tron or Acroflight.

The entry hall of the building housing the gym was where kids could get artwork by The Balloon Lady, aka Wild About Balloons, who travels every year from Long Beach to take part in Prom Plus. Next to her were the tattoo artists from Tattoo Kool. To the right, down the short hallway, were parents from the Armenian Parent Club who had staged a beautiful area for portraits.

In the gym, kids strapped themselves in for the bungee run or burned a CD as they sang their favorite song.

Going up the stairs music could be heard inside one of the rooms courtesy of DJ Mike Thompson who played dance tunes as photos of that night’s prom were displayed on one of the walls. Next door to him was a prize room that offered a cornucopia of prizes that seniors had a chance to win.

The doors opened at midnight and thanks to the many volunteers and civic leaders who lent their time and financial support, over 300 kids poured into the Y ready for a night that they would never forget.

Robin Goldsworthy is the
publisher of the Crescenta
Valley Weekly. She can be
reached at robin@cvweekly.com
or (818) 248-2740.

  FROMT HE DESK OF THE PUBLISHER, JUNE 025, robin goldsworthy