The Bishop Maginn High School Prom Committee has outdone itself, planning a fun, innovative, hi-tech, and memorable goodbye as their beloved school intends to close.

The committee is doing an outstanding job.

I’ve never been a big fan of meetings, a holdover from my brief corporate days, but today was one of the best meetings I’ve ever had the privilege of attending. I went to  Bishop Maginn High School Friday to listen to the Prom Committee’s ideas for their final prom this year after the Army of Good raised $7,000 to leave the school in style, as they wanted and deserved.

These children have had a grinding couple of years as the pandemic took all semblance of regular schooling away. They desperately wanted to leave the school in a spirit of gratitude and celebration.

Principal Mike Tolan and Art and Theology Teacher Sue Silverstein say the prom is just what the school needed to come out of the doldrums and look ahead to an evening they are planning with energy, excitement, and creativity.

The whole school – all four grades will be attending – will be together.

I didn’t go to give instructions or approve plans; that’s not my role in listening. The kids were thrilled, excited, and loaded with ideas; they had many ideas, too many for me to relay all here.

And they very much wanted me to hear them and like them and give special thanks to the people who donated money, so this could happen.

I am so glad we did. I loved the plans, and Maria and I have been told we better come, along with Zinnia, who dozed through much of the meeting.

The prom is now scheduled for June 11. Sue Silverstein says they extended the date so that the students will have something to look forward to, a distraction from the sadness over the school’s closing.

The kids want the prom theme to be a “Casino Night” with toy slot machines and chocolate wrapped in shiny “gold” paper as the winning slot price. (There is no gambling of any sort permitted at the prom, that is both illegal and against church policy, these are toys and chocolate dollars and no money changes hands at the prom)

Tables will be set up with “casino” decorations, and the school teachers will be the casino dealers. A different game will be played at each table. They want it to be in the school gym rather than at a strange country club.

Many of their families don’t have cars and will be able to walk to the prom and see it, which is something the students wanted.

The gym will be full of carny-like games with a teddy bear and other prizes.

One will feature fake toy hatches wrapped in cloth and velcro to toss at bullseye at velcro targets.

An extensive “bar” will be stocked with juices, sodas, and health drinks. The committee is setting up free Bishop Maginn “apps” for each student to download, so they can take their photos and videos and save them on their cell phones to look at for years.

We’re getting Bishop Maginn High School T-shirts as favored prizes.

(Above, Maria with Jasmine, a senior I wrote about – she once lived in a homeless shelter and women’s home and has turned her hardship to good – they have become good friends, and Maria is mentor and friend. It is touching to see them together.)

The refugee and other parents have volunteered to make special food from a half dozen different countries for a rich and delicious buffet table, a celebration of the diversity of the school.

The kids want to hire the best DJ in Albany to come and play the music they love on a series of speakers. I donated 12 teddy bears with the words “Bishop Maginn High” written on the front.

Tania Woodward from the Mansion and the aides are donating 15 or 20 prom dresses from her own proms. The students said they would love to get them.

There will be a candy table for snacks and prizes and a unique photo booth so the graduates and students (all students from all grades are invited) can take their pictures.

They will rent a popcorn machine so anybody can get a free bucket of popcorn.

Every student will get a present or school memorabilia to take home. The prom committee was full of excitement and enthusiasm.

They were still at it an hour or two after I left, and I have probably missed several things they are planning.

They will get the prom that they wanted and deserve – so many of these students have grown up in refugee camps before coming to America – and will celebrate with their teachers and parents.

One another over the closing of a school they loved who helped them so much in their transition to life in America.

The Prom King And Queen and their Court will be extended so more students can be included. I don’t know if Zinnia is in the running for Prom Queen or not, it might be time to turn the honor over to somebody else.

Thanks again for helping to bring this about. Sue Silverstein is watching over this to make sure it goes smoothly and safely.

Sue says they raised enough money (special thanks to you, Denise) for the prom, and don’t need an additional wish list.

Below, Jessica