It's become a tradition here at 7NEWS for us to cover Wesley College's annual prom. This year's prom was held on Friday night and trust us, while Wesley's prom is usually a showcase - we're not exaggerating when we say it was an explosive night. A firecracker used by one graduates hit one of BEL's high voltage lines which tripped. The area around the Radisson Hotel was plunged into a 14-minute blackout. But that was just one moment of a chaotic and celebratory night which was four years in the making for the graduates. Camera man Alex Ellis and Keith Swift were front row to see to all the action.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This was the scene in front of the Radisson Hotel on Friday night. It was lights, cameras, and lots of action - which at times could only be descried in one word - pandemonium.
[Crowd Going Wild]
A lucky few got the bird's eye view from atop this Harbor View sign but hundreds, maybe thousands, of onlookers were standing street side and on this night- not even the police could contain them. It was peaceful though because they were all here for the show, and what a show it was: from belly dancing to singing to a literal explosion. These graduates from Wesley College were stars for the night.
Arielle McSweaney, Graduate
"I was a little bit nervous out there, excited, but most of all excited."
Travis Humes, Graduate
"Same here."
Keith Swift,
Did you expect that many people to be out there?
Travis Humes,
"Me, no."
Arielle McSweaney,
"Yeah I expected it because every year things happen so you have to make sure you look your best and come out here and everybody is supposed to be out here."
Graduate #3,
"To be honest, I had no idea about that. They told me to expect a surprise but I didn't know it was that. I am happy and nervous but I am okay."
Keith Swift,
Why are you nervous?
Graduate #3,
"Because this is the first time I've ever been to a prom so I am really
nervous."
Keith Swift,
What was it like coming out of the vehicle and seeing all these people?
Graduate #3,
"My heart is still pounding and I am really really nervous."
Keith Swift,
Is this what you thought your prom night would be like?
Graduate #3,
"I am not sure, I guess."
Graduate #4,
"I feel very excited because this is my first prom and I'm finally graduating from Wesley College."
Pearline Adolphus, Graduate
"It was just a umbrella entrance because it was supposed to rain but it didn't but it still happened. My little sister came up with it."
Keith Swift,
How hard was putting it together?
Pearline Adolphus,
"It was really hectic. It came out good though."
Keith Swift,
How do you feel right now?
Pearline Adolphus,
"Very proud."
Keith Swift,
And when you saw all those people?
Pearline Adolphus,,
"I was about to get very scared."
And those words took on new meaning just seconds later. While speaking to Pearline Adolphus - the noise you heard in the background was an actual explosion. A firecracker hit one of BEL's high voltage wires. Because we were inside, our camera only captured the chaotic aftermath. But for a good 10 seconds the area was plunged into complete darkness. Freelance videographer Jamaal Campbell captured four seconds of the actual explosion on his camera - you can see it here when the night suddenly lights up and a glowing ball of light is visible on the lamppost.
The firecrackers which exploded and hit a high voltage wire were part of the entrance by Michelle Brooks and her date Barrington Flowers. She says it was an honest mistake.
Michelle Brooks, Graduate
"I was supposed to walk in and stop and my sister should have popped some stuff over us and that happened but I didn't know what happened after that."
Keith Swift,
Do you feel that you over did it?
Michelle Brooks,
"No, I feel alright. I just feel normal."
Keith Swift,
Do you take responsibility for what happened?
Michelle Brooks,
"No."
The good news is that the show didn't end there and one graduate who spared no expense in putting together an entrance was Kevitte Megan who - like Cinderella says her dream came through on prom night - and that's even if she had to rent two horses and a carriage.
Kevittte Megan, Graduate
"I am Cinderella. I will have the carriage in front. I will have the
two girls who will try on the shoes and then you will have the prince who will come to me and open up my carriage and then I will put on the shoes and it will fit and then I will walk inside."
Keith Swift,
Who came up with this?
Kevittte Megan,
"I did."
Keith Swift,
How much did this cost?
Kevittte Megan,
"You have to ask my mom that."
Keith Swift,
How much this cost mom?
Laura Fuller, Mother
"I can't tell you because my husband might want to hurt me because it is a lot of money."
Keith Swift,
So why did you spend so much money on your daughter's prom?
Laura Fuller,
"Because my daughter went through four years of hard work and I always promised her that when she finishes she will get whatever she wants and she deserves."
It's a show that one tourist from Spain says she has never seen before. She is a guest at the Radisson Hotel and says what she saw on Friday night was "different."
Tourist,
"I think it is a bit crazy, I've never seen anything like this in my whole entire life."
Keith Swift,
You think is a good thing?
Tourist,
"It is a different thing. Its not bad, it is something funny and I suppose people enjoy this so it's a good thing for you."
And maybe that's what prom night is really about - a dream come true for these graduates - their time in the spotlight after 4 years of hard work - their 15 seconds of fame, declaring the age of the image has arrived.
BEL says that some type of metallic object or streamer hit a high voltage wire and that caused it to trip. The area affected was North Front Street, up to Queen's Street ending at Gabourel Lane. We are told that Wesley graduates were specifically warned against grand entrances that would include fireworks.
We should note that the Radisson's blackout was merely seconds long since they immediately switched to a backup generator. Still, manager Jim Scott says he expects that Wesley College will be taking the lead by pursuing action to hold its students accountable. He says the hotel accepted the prom on the understanding that grand entrances would be discouraged.
