Senior Banquet and the Prom
The 1984 Marching Band Banquet was a bittersweet mix of farewells and anticipation of going to college for us seniors.
I got a Senior Award, and they showed a nice slide presentation of the previous season, and I was in it a few times. Just a few weeks remained of school as I knew it.
That night, I asked Mark if he’d consider escorting me to my Senior Prom, but he reluctantly declined. Technically, he was a “teacher” and the pairing would be considered inappropriate. I understood, though we were both disappointed.
The June 1 Prom was fast approaching, so Doug the drumline captain and I decided to go together, along with others from our bunch. Mom took me shopping for a drop-dead red sweetheart-top cascading floor-length chiffon gown in May. Afterward, we went for Chinese food. I modeled it for Dad in the living room—it was the most mature and elegant attire I’d donned in my 17 years. After all, this event was once-in-a-lifetime!
The song that takes me back to Prom Night, “Jam On It” by Newcleus
Unfortunately … Mom was sick in the hospital the night of the big event. So her dear friend and fellow nurse, Florence Schiffman came over to bring me to the salon to have my hair done, and back home to dress.
It was she who helped me with my makeup and took pictures of me and Doug when he arrived, driven in his brother John’s Volvo. It was she who sent me off with a hug and kiss, and said, have a great time tonight.
The first stop was St. Peter’s Medical Center, and the two of us strode through the hospital hallways in full Prom finery, Doug in a black tux with tails and top hat. We caused quite a stir.
When we got to Mom’s room, all she could do was smile and cry. I gave her a kiss, she bestowed her well wishes for the night, and then we were gone. How it must have broken her heart to be stuck in the hospital for this special evening.
The next stop was Anne’s, where six of us and our dates assembled on the front lawn for pictures. Then, on to the Dorian Manor we went. We all had a BLAST! The Class of ’84 rocked on with food, drink and dancing.
The favors were small wine glasses engraved with East Brunswick 1984 / Follow You, Follow Me (Genesis song dedicated to the evening). Afterward, we all hit Denny’s for a late-night snack and to relax. Doug gave me a rather chaste kiss goodnight on my doorstep around 3 AM.
“When Doves Cry” by Prince
Inevitably, I’d been thinking about what it would have been like to have Mark as my date, though Doug had been nothing but charming, gallant and gentlemanly, the perfect escort.
Final EBHS Bear Band gig
There was a ceremony in East Brunswick for some sort of dedication, and the band was asked to play for the event. Of course, that meant one last performance with my snare. Well that day was so hot, I began to feel faint as I stood there during the ceremony in uniform with everyone else.
Before I knew it, I was on my butt in Glen’s arms, and Josh (aka Spike) grabbed my drum before it could hit the ground. Mom the nurse was on the scene in moments with an ammonia amp.
Grad Party!
June also brought my graduation blowout at the Summerhill Inn (now the Cambridge). All my friends and most of the family were invited. Mom and Dad wanted to throw me this celebration because Mom by this time knew that she would not live to see the biggest party of my life … my wedding.
That night was filled with fun, DJ music, presents, food and dancing. The one song that reminds me of that party (and my relationship with Mark, who was there of course) is Jermaine Jackson’s Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin’. I was NUTS about it.
“Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin'” by Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine Jackson – Tell Me I’m Not Dreamin
We danced to Footloose by Kenny Loggins, Close (To the Edit) by Art of Noise, and Borderline (I hated this song) by Madonna.
As soon as that song came on, my friends yanked me out of the booth to the dance floor… needless to say I was having too good a time to resist.
What a night. My mother was delighted, wearing her neck brace and dancing with us. My brother let his catchy Michael Jackson imitation rip, and Dad dutifully took movies with our new video taping apparatus. Gone was the super-8 movie camera.
By the time things broke up around 11, I said goodbye to everyone and thanked my parents for an awesome party. I announced I wanted to go out with Mark afterward. Mom just gave me a wink that said, “Have fun.”
That was to be our hottest night yet. What I remember most about being with Mark after the party was getting pretty busy in his car in the dark shadows of Willow Street.
I didn’t return home until early the next morning. Except for my own exhaustion, I saw no consequences. Mom and Dad knew I was leaving for college within a matter of weeks and correctly assumed I was adult enough to handle myself. My feelings for Mark were powerful by then.
Graduation and One “Hot” Summer
Finally, the time had come for the Class of 1984 to leave the hallowed halls of East Brunswick High.
Senior Skip-Out Day was observed by those of us soon to be “free.” Graduation rehearsal took place on the football field one warm afternoon, and we waited in line for instructions.
Unfortunately, I felt a mammoth case of cramps coming on, and had to excuse myself to return to the building. I’d lived through this type of monthly kamikaze before, and no way was I going to be stuck sick as a dog on the field in front of all my classmates.
As I reached the school, I let myself inside and felt the cold sweat and the stiffness setting in. Unfortunately, for some reason, the door to the Girls’ Room in that wing was locked.
In misery and my mobility now increasingly compromised, I dragged myself into a classroom. These cramps hit like a loaded E8 locomotive. Within moments I was on the floor, limbs stiff and perspiring profusely. I knew I needed help. Of course, the button to call the school office was conveniently placed five feet higher, on the wall.
Knowing I had to do something fast, lest I pass out and be found mummified the next morning, I belted out the most alarming word I knew:
FIRE!!!!!!
A janitor responded to the call of distress and he immediately summoned help. I was wheeled to the nurse’s office, where I was given just what I needed—ibuprofen and a cool compress on my forehead. Mom, who by that time was home from her hospital stay, was by the school in a jiffy to take me home.
Naturally, I’d missed grad rehearsal, but I assumed it was more or less a glorified follow-the-leader that I’d pick up quickly.
The next day was sunny and beautiful. The school band played “Pomp and Circumstance” and our Alma Mater as we 1984 grads filed onto the football field wearing our caps and gowns (white for the girls; green for the guys). The video of the event may be found here.
The stands were overflowing with happy families and friends of the graduates. We joyfully tossed our caps high into the air following the disbursement of the diplomas.
I realized … this is it. I would never again set foot in East Brunswick’s “Home of the Bear” stadium as a student.
Mom, Dad, Steve and I had pictures taken and devoured ice cream sundaes at Farrell’s afterward. I was now a high school graduate.
Popular from the summer after graduation were Miss Me Blind by Culture Club, When Doves Cry by Prince, Ghostbusters by Ray Parker, Jr., and Breakin’—There’s No Stoppin’ Us by Ollie & Jerry.
Summer of Mark
Meanwhile, Mark and I were getting together several evenings a week. The first time I saw him play professionally was one night at The Captain’s Wheel in Edison when my dad brought me to listen for a few hours.
I usually went with Mark to his drumming gigs with Chatterband. One time we drove down to a Center City, Philly club. Paul Martone, the lead singer, was a ham and always got great crowd response.
I would sit and ogle Mark as he played drums, completely digging him. I’d await breaks in the sets so we could steal away for a steamy intermission.
Whenever I was approached by any guys at these places, I’d politely decline and explain I was there with the drummer. I felt like the proverbial groupie.
One song that always reminds me of seeing Mark tear it up is Huey Lewis’ Heart of Rock ‘n Roll. Pump that bass!
“Close To the Edit” by The Art of Noise
The Art of Noise – Close to the Edit
I also went to see Mark perform in the percussion ensemble at Jersey City State College.
I was extremely impressed. (He would continue with a wonderful career in concert and pit percussion, as well as set drumming.) We stole away quite a bit whenever we could, one time going to a lake to be alone but the mosquitoes found us soon enough. Another time we went sailing on the bay in Lavallette, and spent the evening together at his sister’s beach house.
That summer was filled with seeing Mark and final college preparations.
Soon, a mountainous cache of necessities had accumulated in the family room. This included clothes, 2 bedding sets, new foam pillow, “Hot Pot” (for those Cup a Soup and Ramen cravings), drumsticks, down winter coat for long waits at the PRT stations and walking on campus, and other supplies.
Mom and I finalized the student loan apps and double-checked lists. Things were boxed, labeled and ready for transit. She saw to it that everything was done. Her guidance with this was invaluable.
I also had a job over the summer doing telephone market research for R.H. Bruskin & Associates, a New Brunswick firm, in a last-ditch attempt to fill my account before leaving.
I gave Mark a couple of 21st birthday gifts including Skittles (his fave candy) and Off! insect repellent, a humorous nod to the bugs’ rampage on us during our most recent passionate lakeside foray.
