OLD BRIDGE — Unique prom-posals were all the rage for high school seniors this year.
At Old Bridge High School (OBHS), one teen took his long-time girlfriend in an airplane for a ride and asked her to prom, while another asked her date to the June 15 dinner-dance on the Broadway stage of “Anastasia” while a film crew from MTV recorded the moment.
Another promposal that raised eyebrows at OBHS was initiated by Student Senate President Randall Anderson. He asked Olympic gold winner Laurie Hernandez to the prom and the American gymnast said “yes.”
Hernandez competed as a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won gold in the team event and silver on the balance beam.
“It’s important to come to prom with my class because this is the high school I would’ve gone to if I wasn’t homeschooled,” said Hernandez, who wore a strapless, wine-colored gown with beading, according to a statement released by the school. “Taking a day off of traveling and work to spend time with old friends sounds so exciting.”
Hernandez, along with Anderson, attended the Class of 2018’s Senior Prom, “A Knight in New Orleans,” which was held at the East Brunswick Hilton with more than 800 students in attendance.
“We went to elementary school together at Voorhees,” Anderson, who wore a light-gray tuxedo, white shirt, and a wine-colored tie and pocket square to match Hernandez’s gown, said in the statement. He said the couple had remained in touch through social media.
According to Hernandez, a few old friends thought it would be a good time if she went with Anderson.
“He made it a point to reach out,” she said, “plus, we were in kindergarten/first grade together.”
Asked if he was nervous dancing with the November 2016 winner of “Dancing with the Stars,” Anderson said, “I am light on my feet. Tara Di Iorio (physical education teacher) taught me how to dance (during senior physical education classes), and she had performed with me during the Mr. Old Bridge (high school competition). I can meringue, tango, and cha-cha. I like to dance and planned to have fun.”
Prior to the event, Hernandez said she was “looking forward to a day with no responsibilities. There might be a lot of selfies … but either way I’m a social butterfly so I’m excited to meet new friends.”
