Sophomore class-hosted Grand March is the lead-in for the night chock full of activities
The 2014 Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) Prom was held this past Saturday, April 14. The sophomore class hosted the Grand March in the school’s auditorium as the lead-in to the night-into-early morning hours of a full plate of activities. The Grand March – under the theme “Journey to Arabia” – featured a set’s centerpiece crafted by Dave Watkins, basked on a sketch of a building typical of the Arabian Peninsula. Mistress of Ceremonies was Ashley Watkins, and Ethan Karschnik served as Master of Ceremonies.
Following the Grand March and Mountain Lake Police Department escort down Third Avenue – it was down Golf Course Road to the Mountain Lake Golf Course Clubhouse and a catered banquet meal and other events.
The after-prom party was held at the Lake Crystal Recrecation Center, providing prom-goers -who were bused to the location – with opportunities to play basketball, volleyball, run, swim, play Wii and board games – or just visit. To close the annual celebration at 5 a.m., a bevy of raffle prizes were awarded.
(Prior to the Grand March, a cadre of prom attendees completed an impromptu walk-through at the Good Samaritan of Mountain Lake, giving both Village and The Lodge residents the opportunity to see the teenagers dressed in their finest.)
Below are photographs from the Grand March:
BRIANNA SOUTTHIVONG, CENTER, and her date, Jared Saunders, right, arrive at the Grand March, and pause for a photo op taken by Jared’s mom, Jill Saunders, left.
A REFRESHING PUNCH was provided to prom-goers, and Andrew Hempeck, left, and his date, Mikayla Falk, right, smile for a photographer as they wait to enjoy the refreshments.
IT IS A first prom for three MLHS juniors – and one out-of-school date. From left, Ryan Fleischer joins in for the MLHS event with classmates Olivia Hopwood (Ryan’s date) and Jenny Wright and her date, Eric Wenner.
CAROL VOUGHT OF Windom – a Master Seamstress – in a photograph with Kaylee Wolle – who is wearing a gown Carol created. Carol also altered a couple of other prom dresses worn at the MLHS event.
HANNAH STOESZ, LEFT and Jose Gonzalez, right, smile for the Lifetouch camera.
“JOHNSON” COUSINS – VINCE Johnson, Hunter Quiring and Mikayla Falk – along with their dates – in their final prom, as all three are graduating seniors. (In addition – they represent the last in their families to go through Mountain Lake Public School – as they are the “babies” of the bunch). From left, Nikki Longeneker and her date, Vince Johnson; Whitney Klassen and her date, Hunter Quiring and Mikayla Falk and her date, Andrew Hempeck.
THE SENIOR BOYS attending the 2014 MLHS Grand March – all cleaned up and looking fine.
ALEXA HEFFELE, LEFT and her date, Levi Blahnik, right, kicked off the first run-through of the Grand March.
CAITLIN BRANDT, LEFT, along with her date, Austin Rogers, right, make their “Journey to Arabia.
MLHS SENIORS ARACELY, Zarate, left and her date, Demar Rodney, right, take their turn in the Grand March spotlight.
CHUNTANA SAYAVONG, LEFT and her date, Julian Jung, right, enter from backstage and pass through the Grand March route.
FRAMED IN THE full effect of the Dave Watkin’s-created set centerpiece are Caitlin Oeltjenbruns, left and her date, Chrisian Pfeiffer, right.
BROWNS AND GOLDS were the coordinated highlight colors in the gown and tux and tie for this couple, Rachel Dukes, left and her date, Josh Fast, right.
THE GALLANT MLHS senior Zach Dickens, right, gives a hand down the stairs to his date, Signey Stoesz, left. They are both “pretty in pink.”
THE SECOND GRAND March run-through is the free-spirited appearance by the prom-goers. Above, Vince Johnson was one of a group who elected to spray the first few rows in the audience – along with themselves – with Silly String.
A GROUP “SELFIE.” From left, the backs of Derek Harder, Logan Johnson, Andrew Hempeck, Zach Dickens and Hunter Quiring.
ONE OF THE more “melodic” moments from the second Grand March run-through was the lip-synced selection – “Love Is An Open Door,” taken from the soundtrack of the movie, “Frozen” – by Daniel Nelson, left and his date, Melanie Adrian, right.
HEADING OUT ON a slow – police-led – cruise down Third Avenue – en route to prom activities at the Mountain Lake Golf Course Clubhouse. Buffed and polished rides included a white stretch limo, classic and late-model pick-up trucks, sports cars, sports car convertibles, classic cars, late-model cars – and a cruise in an 8235R John Deere tractor.
