LBHS students celebrate prom

It was a full house last Wednesday at the Pyle residence in East Atlantic Beach as proud parents and other family members gathered to celebrate before the Long Beach High School Senior Prom at Chateau Briand in Carle Place.

“This is my last one of four,” said Robin Mackston, whose son graduated last week. “It is the start of the next chapter of his life.”

More than 40 students lined the Bay Street backyard for the pre-prom party, posing for photos together beside the water. Parents, grandparents and siblings snapped hundreds of pictures, as cheeks grew tired from holding smiles.

Senior Allyson Peysner smiled and posed with her friends in an eye-catching coral gown. “It is my first prom and this is awesome,” she said, between the barrage of photos. “High school was really a blast. I’ve made so many memories and I’m hoping to make some more.” Peysner said she plans to attend Penn State University to study health policy and administration in the fall.

The party was bustling, as parents bumped into each other and offered congratulations. The parents were just as happy to be done with high school as the kids were.

“I grew up in Long Beach and I went to the Long Beach High School prom, too,” one mother said. “This was a great class though. They had a lot of school spirit, and in sports they always supported each other. It was great camaraderie.”

Senior Katherine Murphy agreed that they have a particularly close grade. She said that when everyone leaves for college, it will be a difficult time for them all.

“I have four girls, so I’m experienced with proms, to say the least,” said Murphy’s mother, Eileen, as she watched her daughter pin a boutonniere on her date and long-time friend, Dylan Kempinski.

Kempinski’s mother, Jean, said that the two families are close and have both lived in Long Beach for about 30 years. “We’re best friends; we go away on vacation together.” The mothers laughed and shared stories about their children’s younger years as the students cleared out of the backyard, ready for the prom.

“I think they all look great and I hope they have a good time and stay out of trouble,” said parent Jim Rochford, while his son and his friends loaded on to the bus.