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RFH 2010, HCS News

Student Video Wins Band for Prom

Sat, Apr 10, 2010

Student Video Wins Band for Prom

Prom is always a special time, a special opportunity for memories that will last long after the Facebook postings have all gone away.

But, the HCS prom will be additional special come Saturday, May 8. The promis held at the Colgate Inn.

Firstly, Valaya Lalonde (with soccer teammates in photo), a junior who left Hamilton mid-year after the death of her father to live with her sister's family in Kentucky, will be returning for a visit.

And secondly, because of that, friends wanted the 2010 prom to be especially memorable. One of Lalonde's closest friends and fellow soccer player, Emily Truett, spearheaded the effort to make a video that was entered in a contest by KISS-FM radio. The prize, having a band -- Love Sick Radio -- perform at the prom.

In the video, faculty and friends commented on the indelible memories Lalonde left behind in Hamilton. They commented how having the band play at prom would make her return that much more special.

The video, along with those of other school, were posted on KISS-FM's website and people could vote for their favorite. When the votes were counted, the HCS production was the winner.

Senior Jack Sullivan was one of the students featured in the video. He said:

"I think it is absolutely fantastic that HCS students can come together like they have for the benefit of another person. It shows everyone how close the students are at HCS. It shows everyone how much this community means to the students, as well as how much the students mean to one another. The participation was terrific and I'm glad to see how everyone could bring themselves together for such an honorable and noble cause, like Valaya. It shows how much character students around here really have, I'm proud to be apart of all of it."

We also asked Lalonde what it was like to see the video, to know that her friends had made the effort on her behalf and what it will be like to be back in Hamilton next month.

What do you think?

I think that the video is probably one of the best surprises that I've ever gotten. It allows me to see the faces of many friends and the place where I've made so many memories. It's incredible that people took the time out of their busy lives to do what they did for me. I couldn't be more grateful or thankful to know the people I know, they have all done a lot for me and still continue to do so even though I'm not there. It's definitely a bittersweet video for me but I still watch it several times a week wishing that I could just snap my fingers and be back there to give everyone a huge hug! I am so proud of Emily for coming up with the idea and I consider myself to be one of the luckiest girls to walk this Earth because I realized that the more people involved in that video the stronger Hamilton is represented as a loving and caring community.

What did you think when you first saw the video, and what people said about you?

The first time watching the video it was 6:30am before I got ready for school and I became an emotional wreck haha. I bawled like a baby!!! Of course not because the video was bad or anything but it touched my heart in a way that I don't think many people would understand. People don't realize how powerful words and actions can be and the things said in that video just take my breath away. With everything that people have done for me and said to me, it's hard to fully thank them. I don't feel like the words in my vocabulary justify how great I feel and I feel great all the time because people's positive words always brighten up my day, even if they don't realize it.

Are you excited about being here for prom? How come?

Of course I'm excited to be back for prom! It's a chance to go back home and breathe in some nice Hamilton air and visit with people who kept me from falling into the deepest hole ever known. Not only do I get another shot at thanking people, but my nephew Nick Lalonde will be coming with me. He is a year and a half older than I am (his birthday is coming up on April 8th and he will be 18) so our relationship is most definitely a brother to sister as opposed to aunt and nephew. Nick coming makes me even more excited because he has always been a huge part of my life even while we were apart. He's always guided me in the right direction and without a doubt he is my hero. I can't wait for people to meet him because he is a fantastic kid with a very unique personality, and it will give Nick another connection to Hamilton aside from me.

Do you have a dress chosen?

I absolutely do! About 4 or 5 months ago I was looking at prom dresses online thinking whether I want to order one or not because I didn't think going back to Hamilton was a possibility and I wasn't sure if I would be asked by anyone here to go to prom. Sure enough I began bragging about how gorgeous the dress is and going to Hamilton became a definite. Like the crazy great family they are, the Martins decided to pleasantly surprise me with the idea of buying the dress for me. Therefore I've had my prom dress since January, and I don't think I've ever been so excited to wear a piece of clothing.

And, Valaya had some thank yous:

There are a lot of people I would love to thank but that would take a million years. So instead of thanking individuals I'd like to thank the community as a whole for everything. Regardless of how much I talked to someone or how well we know each other, I can honestly state that everybody in Hamilton has had a significant impact on my life. Without everyone in the community, I would not be the person I am today. Every time I laugh or smile the face of a Hamiltonian pops into my head and I get a rush of warmth that runs through my body. Since living in Kentucky, I haven't gone an hour without thinking or talking about Hamilton. It's so hard to part form such an amazing place and I just hope that people pay attention to how meaningful the things they say are. Little sentences such as, "You'll be ok," "We're always here for you," and "We love you," are what got me to sprint through the doldrums of life with optimism instead of falling victim to its gloomy and slow atmosphere. Thank you.

 

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