Senior Prom Features ‘The Great Gatsby’ as the 2024 Theme

Shalan Alayan, Dylan Fischer, Suhasini Patel, Ayana Sears, Gregory Wolferman, and Victor Hernandez • March 14, 2024

Tickets for prom go on sale the week of April 8. Photo illustration.

John F. Kennedy Memorial High School’s annual senior prom will be held at The Pines Manor on May 30, 2024. The theme is based on the novel “The Great Gatsby” and the roaring 20s era of fashion. Seniors are encouraged to wear avant garde dresses and suits, with accessories such as pearl necklaces and feathers to fit into the “Gatsby” theme.

Organized by the senior class advisors, Mrs. Culver and Mrs. Riverso, this year’s prom will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. Last year, students were not permitted to enter the prom after 6:30 p.m., and it may be the same case this year.

Tickets were able to be purchased at half price with a fundraiser that took place in January, and a contest for invitation making that ended recently. Nine students submitted their designs and they will be posted in the senior google classroom for the class of 2024 to vote on.

The pricing is yet to be confirmed, but more fundraisers in the future can potentially lower the overall cost.

According to Culver, bids will go on sale the week after spring break, with each homeroom getting a chance to save their tables one after the other.

Outstanding fees must be paid before buying a prom ticket, including cap and gown fees and lunch fines.

About the Contributors

Shalan Alayan

Shalan Alayan is a senior that attends John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin, New Jersey. He is currently a first year contributor for the school newspaper, The Torch. While he only took journalism as an elective in his senior year, he is starting to enjoy the class as he is able to write about topics he finds interesting. He is currently in the Future Business Leaders of America Club and the Business Honor Society. Shalan plans to attend Rutgers-Newark in the fall of 2024 and major in marketing. He is currently employed at the Woodbridge Wegmans where he works as cashier, watches self checkout, and as a cart attendant outside. Shalan's hobbies include biking, watching sunsets, hanging out with friends, eating, plane spotting and his go-to restaurant is Chipotle.

Dylan Fischer

Dylan Fischer is a 17-year-old contributor to The Torch at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School and is in his first year of journalism. Fischer decided to take the class after his classmate and fellow Torch contributor Jeremy Fishman suggested that he should take the class. Fischer is a member of the Gaming Unplugged club, where he partakes in Dungeons & Dragons sessions. He is an "indoors" person with interests in meteorology, history and computer science. His passion for meteorology sparked inside him when he was six, after seeing the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Fischer also enjoys alternate history and plans to attend Rutgers, where he will try to obtain a bachelor’s degree in meteorology.

Suhasini Patel

Suhasini Patel is currently a sophomore attending John F. Kennedy Memorial High School. It is her first year taking journalism, and it has become one of her favorite classes. She is also a contributor to The Torch. She loves to keep up with pop news and sports. She took journalism, so she can write about pop culture, reviews about shows/movies, and write interesting articles about what happens at JFKMHS. Suhasini does spring track & field and throws javelin. She listens to any genre of music, and hopes to go to a PND, Drake, or Bryson Tiller concert. Her favorite soccer club is FC Barcelona; she also used to play soccer as a kid. During her spare time she likes to read mystery books, go to the gym with friends and watch Netflix. After high school, she wants to become a psychologist or a forensic scientist.

Ayana Sears

Ayana Sears is a sophomore at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School where she contributes The Torch. She loves reading and strives to incorporate those styles into the articles she publishes for the Torch. Ayana also has a deep passion for art and loves to draw in her free time. She enjoys being involved in the school community and actively participates in the Kennedy Cancer Society, Key Club, and Raise the Arts Club. When she’s not in school, Ayana spends her time baking and spending time with family and friends. She is not sure what she wants to do in the future; however, she definitely plans on pursuing a career that is extremely beneficial to all those around her.

Gregory Wolferman

Gregory Wolferman is a senior at John F. Kennedy Memorial High School where he is a first-year contributing member of The Torch. Greg considers himself to be quite informed and well-read and has hopes that can translate his knowledge over to his articles.He is extremely knowledgeable in pop culture, hockey, the political theatre and history. Greg is a fan of the New York Rangers, the band No Doubt, "Family Guy" and the WWE. When not watching a show or reading books, Greg likes to cook. Greg hopes to go to TCNJ and get a degree in education as he aspires to be a history teacher.

Victor Hernandez

Victor Hernandez is currently a senior attending John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in Iselin, New Jersey. Victor is currently a contributor on The Torch. He enrolled in Intro to Journalism as he plans to be a journalist later on in his life. This is Victor’s first year in journalism, but he hopes many more are to come. Victor is passionate about politics and world events and channels this passion into journalism. He is also a member of the Non-Partisan Youth in Government club. Victor has one dog, Coco, who is a two and a half year old Shiba Inu.