Midnight Madness continues after Bellmore-Merrick proms

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The festivities didn’t stop for more than 100 Bellmore-Merrick seniors when their proms ended last Thursday, as they attended the Bellmore-Merrick Community Wellness Council’s annual post-prom party called Midnight Madness.

Council President Emilio Manzo said the group began hosting the party for seniors and their dates as an option for students looking for a fun, safe after-prom event in an alcohol- and drug-free environment in 2008. This year, students from Calhoun, Kennedy and Mepham High Schools gathered at Zachary’s Nightclub in East Meadow from midnight to 5 a.m. on Friday, June 21.

Executive Director Fran Licausi said the seniors danced and participated in various activities, including getting airbrush tattoos, taking pictures in a photo booth and playing Wii games. They also had the chance to win more than 50 prizes raffled off by the council, including televisions, cameras, GPS systems and laptops.

Licausi said none of this would have been possible without the help of Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg. He secured a $10,000 Nassau County Traffic Safety Board grant to help the group finance the party, and Licausi thanked him for his support.

Manzo said Denenberg also conceived the idea for the council’s largest fundraiser for Midnight Madness: an all-ages battle of the bands. He explained that, at the April 19 event featuring more than a dozen musical acts, the organization raised more than $2,500 for the post-prom party.