'A Sunset of Dreams' as Tolland High School Celebrates Prom 2011

All week, the question of whether Mother Nature would spare outdoor prom pictures hung over the heads of prom-goers. If the weather was nice, pictures would be taken at the Tolland Green. If the weather was threatening, pictures at St. Matthew's Church.

With blue skies on one side of town and dark clouds looming in the distance, prom-goers opted for St. Matthew's Church grounds, and if necessary, the building itself, for Tolland's 2011 Junior/Senior Prom pictures on May 20.

Families and friends gathered all over the church grounds – the gazebo, in front of the church, in the parking lot and in the garden.

“It's great to see everyone dolled up for the day,” senior Stephanie Knowlton said, as she posed with Lexie Guzy and Olivia Hodina, two friends since middle school.

“I'm glad the weather held out,” Hodina said.

Juniors Cassie Nerbonne, Rachel G., Erika Sturgis and Sarah Kilguss, decked out in bold-colored gowns, have been friends since their days at Tolland Cooperative Preschool.

“It's amazing to be friends since preschool and now, going to prom,” Rachel said, adding that she thinks they'll continue to stay close both in proximity and as friends as they venture off to college.

Tolland senior tennis players Rachel Alvarez, Allison Waterfield and Sarah Anischik gathered together to pose for some final photos before heading off to the prom. All three have not only the prom to look forward to, but also the state tennis tournament, which begins in early June.

“It's kind of surreal,” Anischik said, of the prom and the upcoming tournament, which will send players in both individual competition and team competition. “We have a good representation of our team going,” she said, adding that the team made it to the state semi-finals last year and the hope is to make it at least to semis again this year.

The Tolland prom was held at the Nathan Hale Inn and Conference Center at the University of Connecticut. The theme was “A Sunset of Dreams."