It was a night to remember. No, not the sinking of the Titanic or the power failure in New York…I’m referring to the Skinker-DeBaliviere Prom! Make that “the FIRST annual Skinker-DeBaliviere Prom, because everyone attending left saying, “I can’t wait until next year.” (Well, not everyone; Cal Stuart was heard to leave muttering something like “Did you see tht pink elephant doing the twist?”)
It’s hard to decide what was the real highlight of the prom — there are so many from which to choose: there was the band, the “Now ‘N Then”, who agreed to rock on for an extra hour (Del Shannon was never finer): there was the sight of all the oldies (but goodies) wearing pure vintage outfits; there was the Queen Coronation (more on this later): the Kudos; and there was the overwhelming sight of the spectacularly adorned Chevy Chase Room (a.k.a. the St. Roch’s gym).
The night was full and the moon was yellow when it came time to crown our Queen of semi-love and beauty. ‘The crowd was silent (that is if you consider hoards of old timers, plus 21 years of age, screaming and bopping as being quiet) and a sense of tension filled the air (or was that a sense of old sweat socks in the gym?). Master of Ceremonies Dan Shea then announced the name of the 1977 Prom Queen…Ms. Gee Stuart! Gee and court of maids bowed to the crowd (actually, the maids began to pummel Gee out of revenge and she started to bow to save herself). Anyway, the crowd cheered in appreciation (but then at that hour of the night the crowd would’ve cheered an announcement stating that N followed M in the alphabet).
Special citations go to Generalissimo Don Tepas for his imaginative attire, the Prom Decorating Committee for an incredible job (S. Roach, C. Lange, G. Stuart, J. Kuhl, P. McLafferty, B. Nerviani, the Lakes, and K. Hoerr), the Vatchas for having a “proceeds-to-the-Paperafter-Prom-breakfast” (well what else would you do after a Prom?…), the magnificent masochistic clean up crew, Sister Leo Ann, and a wealth of others. While it’s important that everyone had a good time (and believe me, they had a good time), what’s more important is that we all raised approximately $300 to benefit “The Paper.” Hooray!
Don’t delay or wait for next year’s details (or de heads), start ferreting out those old clothes and practing the Twist, Stroll, Bunny Hop, Box,and pirouette… the 1978 Prom, retiring Queen and all, is on its way!!!
Scrapbook — 1st Annual Post-Senior Prom
Saturday, June 18, 1977, 8 o’clock in the evening. Chevy Chase Club (a.k.a. St. Roch’s Gym), 6038 Waterman. Live music by The Now & Then. Queen Coronation at 11 p.m. Cash Bar. Proceeds to benefit The Paper. $5.50 per person, $.50 Vintage Dress Rebate.
“In Blue Heaven” — all proceeds to benefit The Paper, June 18, 1977, 8 p.m.
Prom Committee: Karleen Hoerr, Tom Hoerr, Chris Lange, Susan Roach, Gee Stuart, Marj Weir.
This evening’s schedule: 8:30 music begins; voting begins and continues until 10:45; 10:00 Promenade of Queen Candidates; 10:30 Citations; 11:00 Coronation [remaining word obscured by photograph].
Original photograph caption
Original prom scrapbook photograph. Photos by Neville Vatcha and Betty Nerviani. The Paper, September 1977, pages 6–7.
Originally published in The Paper, September 1977.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: The printed spellings ‘tht,’ ‘hoards’ and ‘practing’ are retained. Part of the scrapbook program is obscured by a photograph.
Original source: SD_Times1977_09.pdf, printed page(s) 6, 7; PDF page(s) 6, 7.
