By Julie O’Brien Deasy
From midnight until 4:00 AM two weeks ago, approximately 350 New Canaan High School seniors gathered at Waveny House for Post Prom, a cherished New Canaan tradition. This year’s surprise theme, “The Great American Road Trip,” transformed Waveny into a cross-country celebration filled with music, games, food, and entertainment.
Waveny House was transformed into a cross-country adventure filled with music, games, entertainment, food, and prizes. Each room was decorated with a different theme representing iconic destinations across the country: New York, Nashville, Las Vegas, Miami, Aspen, and The Jersey Shore.
“Post Prom provides a safe, fun, and inclusive night for all the seniors. Everyone is invited whether you attend prom or not,” noted Lindsay Regan, Post Prom Co-Chair. “It’s also one of the last chances the seniors have to celebrate as one class before graduation, and it’s amazing to see them all together.”
This year marked the 67th anniversary of Post Prom, a longstanding New Canaan tradition that began in 1959. Originally called the “Dance-After-The-Dance” and hosted at the Country Club of New Canaan, the celebration later moved to Waveny House, where it has taken place for the past 52 years.
Post Prom is an inclusive, substance-free, and safe celebratory night for the entire Senior class. All seniors are invited, regardless of whether they attend prom or not, and every year almost the entire class attends.
Organized by the New Canaan High School Parent Faculty Association (PFA), the event’s theme is a closely-guarded secret. Students arrived at 12:01 AM on May 16 to find every room at Waveny decorated to represent a different American destination, each featuring themed décor, games, and prizes.
In the “Las Vegas” room, students played casino table games, while the gold-star-covered “Hollywood” room featured a red carpet and a mentalist performance involving student volunteers. “Aspen” offered cozy ski-lodge seating around a faux fire with snacks and drinks, while Waveny’s back patio was transformed into “The Jersey Shore,” complete with boardwalk-style carnival games and pool toys.
Organizing an event of this scale requires months of planning and a large team of volunteers. The Post Prom Committee, made up of senior parents, began planning in the fall, with many families donating time, prizes, and financial support to make the evening possible.
Many New Canaan businesses also donated funds, food, and prizes as a way to support Post Prom, give back to the community, and celebrate the students who have supported their businesses over the years.
This year’s sponsors include: Camp Playland, Orthodontic Associates of New Canaan, Karl Chevrolet, Rhone, Renaissance Partners, Carnegie Prep, TOGS, Steinbrecher Educational Advisors, Christa Kenin @ Douglas Elliman, Sanda’s Cleaners, A&N Plumbing, Abercrombie, Burns, McKiernan & Co Insurance, Nola Physical Therapy, New Canaan Dance Academy, Overdrive, Philip Physical Therapy, New Canaan Pediatric Dentistry, Lewis School of Driving, Union 12 Design, Bon Fleur, and Odd Job Landscaping.
Additionally, these local businesses donated food, décor, or prizes to make this night special for our graduating class: American Memories, CrossFit Norwalk, G Albert, Goddess Glow, Joe’s Pizza, New Canaan Bicycles, New Canaan Chicken, Pennyweights, Ranch Laurent, Rhône, Rosie’s, Salon G, She La La, Taylor’s Luggage, Tonk, Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, Walter Stewart’s, Wegmans, and Zumbach’s.
Waveny House stayed lively until 4:00 AM as students laughed, danced, competed in games, and spent time with friends from across the grade. For many seniors, the evening served as one final celebration together before graduation and the next chapter of their lives begins in the fall.
