9.23.07: Autumn Prom a Big Hit

The Pujols Family Foundation set the stage for a great Autumn Prom. Some very special young adults and The SmashBand turned it into a party for the ages.

"This is the best time of my whole life!," said Claire Eastwood, 21.

A red carpet entrance lined with applauding hosts gave only the slightest hint of what awaited the more than 300 young adults and their dates as they arrived at the grand gala, held September 23 at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton.

A ride up to the top floor to the ballroom revealed so much more … incredible four-foot tall balloon creations, a magician, every kind of food imaginable, beautiful centerpieces.

"Everything is fun!," said Paige Hall, 17, as she held hands with date Nick McMullen, 17.

But it was the energy of the young adults and the music by the SmashBand that created the electricity. SmashBand played everything from Pink and Christina Aguilera to Elvis and John Mellencamp. And save for an electric performance by a group of breakdancers from Alpha Reason (that had the young women swooning), the kids kept the dance floor packed.

Girls dressed in stunning evening gowns with beautiful hairdos and guys decked out in tuxes danced for hours, mixing lots of smiles and tail shaking with a bit of sweat and even some smooching here and there.

"We didn't know what to expect tonight … but this is the best gig we've played!," Smash said to the group in between songs.

Among some of the sweetest sights were glowing fathers dancing with their princess-like daughters.

"The kids are having so much," said Paul Mertens, who almost seemed to be floating on the dance floor with his daughter, Tracy, who's 16.

Tracy blushed and said, "I like to dance," and shared a hug with her dad.

How it came together

The idea for the event actually was spawned almost two years ago at the PFF's first O' Night Divine Christmas Celebration.

"Miki Cunningham (a young woman with Down syndrome) ran up to me with this beautiful dress on that she wanted to show off, and her mom commented on how she doesn't really get to dress up," said Todd Perry, PFF executive director. "That sparked the idea that these kids really don't have a lot of opportunities to go to dances and proms, and when they do, it's not really about them. That's what really sparked the idea."

With some help from the young women at Mercy Ministries and an extensive list of sponsors, the Autumn Prom evolved into an event more grand than many high school proms.

"We had high expectations, but I don't think any of us expected it to be that awesome," said PFF program director Jen Cooper. "The band was amazing, and they really fed off the kids and the kids fed off them. … We had so much fun dancing with the kids, it was a blast."

Smash even left a message with Todd Perry that said, "Congratulations on a killer gig. That was monster!"

An incredible selection of food could be found everywhere you turned. Domino's Pizza, McAlister's Deli, Gus' Pretzels and Cold Stone Creamery all donated food and Maui Wowi and Fitz's Bottling Company supplied the beverages. Hardee's Corporation sponsored the Autumn Prom helping make all of this possible.

Michael Geerlof of Mike's Balloon Creations Company created incredible balloon creations, and Blake Douglass provided the magic.

And Lace Images took portrait photos of the attendees and their dates.

But for Claire Eastwood, the highlight was when Lace photographers took her photo with the Alpha Reason dancers, who had also stayed and danced with the kids for a while after they performed.

"I like the hot guys," said a glowing Claire. When asked about whether her date was OK with her dancing with the group and having her picture taken with them, she whispered, "I'm keeping this on the down low."

Albert at the plate

The event was slated to run from 7-10 p.m., and originally the St. Louis Cardinals were to have played their last 2007 home game at Busch Stadium hours earlier that day.

But due to a late scheduling change, the baseball game was moved to 7 p.m. and first baseman Albert Pujols had to be at the stadium instead.

"I'm going to tell Albert how much fun he missed and how much you love him," Deidre Pujols said to the crowd, which let out a huge roar for her.

Then in an almost uncanny nod, at just before 10 p.m. Albert came off the bench to pinch hit in the bottom of the ninth with the Cardinals trailing 3-1. He then blasted a line drive that banged off the left field wall, driving in his 99th run of the season and helping the Cardinals rally for a 4-3 victory in their final home game.

When Smash announced at the dance that the Cardinals had won, everyone cheered and hollered and the party continued in full swing until almost 10:30 p.m.

"They would have kept going except that the hotel had to say, 'OK, it's time,'" Jen Cooper said with a laugh.

Click here for photo slideshow.