Their last gathering as a high school class didn't come at graduation. It didn't even come at their first scheduled prom. It came in the middle of summer, on July 16 to be precise, as the West Hempstead senior class of 2003 finally had their prom.

The original one, scheduled for June 26, was cancelled due to a power outage on Howard Beach, the location of Russo's on the Bay, where the prom was scheduled.

Tickets were $75 for the gala occasion with girls dressed in the finest prom dresses they could find and guys adorned in their tuxedos, with limousines waiting to take them to what was supposed to be a memorable event. The class had made its reservations for Russo's two years ago. However, what the West Hempstead seniors received was darkness and heat from no power.

In a letter Frank Russo, owner of Russo's on the Bay, wrote to a claims manager for Con Edison. Russo stated, "We did everything within our power to allow these young adults to enjoy their prom until the power was turned back on. Unfortunately, once nightfall came and we still had no power, for the safety of the children, we had to escort them out of the building and cancel their prom. This was an evening they were all looking forward to with great anticipation. These children invested a large amount of money on tuxedos, gowns, limousines, etc. for this evening only to have it brought to an abrupt end."

After receiving much media attention, some dedicated parents helped reschedule the prom with Russo's on the Bay acting as a partner. When the original prom was cancelled, Russo's wanted to do something to make up for the lost evening. Also, with the leadership of parents Mal Patterson and Jerome Davis among others, the prom was rescheduled.

Since the students had technically graduated, the second prom could not be a school-sponsored event. However, the class had the blessing of the West Hempstead Board of Education.

"This particular senior class has been just a wonderful class," said West Hempstead Board of Education President Martin Kaye. "The board was just delighted that this occurred."

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the class met once again after graduation on July 16 for another chance at a prom. This time, the prom proved to be very successful as one parent said the seniors were very happy.

"Everything went really well. There were no problems. It was a good turnout. The kids had a lot of fun," said Jeremy McMilleon, a manager at Russo's on the Bay, who estimated that about 160 seniors turned out for the prom.

Russo's on the Bay not only refunded the money it collected from the original prom, which was cancelled but the catering hall threw the second prom at no cost, while also providing transportation from West Hempstead High School to the catering hall and back. Russo's even provided a DJ. "The kids had spent some money on their tuxedos and dresses so that's why we decided to arrange the transportation for them," McMilleon said.

Russo's on the Bay was hoping at least for an explanation of the power failure from Con Edison, something McMilleon said never came.

"We still to this day have no explanation as to what happened. We still to this day have not been able to get a representative down to explain anything to us," he said.

Owner of Russo's on the Bay Frank Russo had a telephone conversation with the claims manager for the power company on July 2 about compensation for losses resulting from the power outage.

However, in a letter written by Thomas Kojes, claims manager for Con Edison, it is stated that Con Edison would not compensate Russo's for its losses since Con Edison "cannot and does not guarantee a perfect and uninterrupted supply of electricity...Con Edison is only responsible for losses of food and perishable merchandise resulting from an interruption attributable to a malfunction in our local distribution system that lasts for 12 hours or more within a 24-hour period."

But for the West Hempstead Class of 2003, it was a happy ending. The students had their prom, albeit a late one, and now have memories they can bring with them into the next chapter of their lives.