At the KH Players banquet May 16, Kelly Schnider, drama teacher, announced the shows for the upcoming school year. The fall play, performed on Keating Theatre, will be Is He Dead? by Mark Twain and adapted by David Ives. The winter Black Box production will be Tennessee Williams’s A Street Car Named Desire. The spring musical will be Singin’ in the Rain by Betty Comdon and Adolph Green, lyrics by Arthur Freed and music by Nacio Herb Brown. The show for the winter freshman/sophomore one act has yet to be announced.

Auditions for Is He Dead? will begin Monday after school.

When roaming the KHS halls with hoods up, students are constantly reminded by faculty members to remove them, but Friday, April 6 was an exception. In memory and support of Trayvon Martin, students were allowed to wear their hoods.

Martin, a 17-year-old from Sanford, FL, was shot and killed in a gated community by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, Feb. 26. Zimmerman reported to the police that Martin looked suspicious because he was walking in the rain with a hoodie on and had something in his hand. Although it is believed Martin did nothing to provoke the incident, Zimmerman, claiming self-defense, shot the teen, who was armed with a pack of Skittles and an iced tea. Police did not arrest Zimmerman at the time, but the case was further investigated and he was later charged with second-degree murder.

“Since Kirkwood is a primarily white school, I got the impression that not too many people knew much about this issue since it brought an uproar mainly to the black community,” Dasia Johnson, BACC president and junior, said. “Our primary goal as a club was to raise awareness about the case.”

A group of students from the Black Achievement and Cultural Club (BACC), brought the Trayvon Martin case to the attention of Dr. Michael Havener, principal, March 27, when they asked permission to wear their hoods up in school to support the case. Because of the hats off and hoods down dress code, this request was out of the ordinary. The administration postponed their day of support by encouraging the students to form an organized plan. BACC responded by organizing ways to spread awareness about the case to students and the community.

“[Hoodie day] led us to other things that we could start to do locally to bring to life instances of discrimination such as this in our own area and spread it out from there, so this is just the start of our efforts,” Ramona Miller, BACC sponsor and freshman principal, said.

BACC sponsored a hoodie day, where students could pay $1 to wear their hoods up in support for Martin’s family. The $200 they collected, from students who donated to wear their hoods, went to the Martin family to help pay for his funeral and projected legal fees.

“I think it’s important [for students to wear hoodies for support] because it’s a great cause and it helps his family and friends,” Daisha Williams, sophomore and hoodie wearer, said. “He needs justice so it just feels like it’s the right thing to do.”

Johnson worried the hoodies would not be enough to spark interest among students, so she hurried to print signs reading “Justice for Trayvon Martin” that participants could wear for the day.

“I felt that since our goal was to raise awareness, we were very successful,” Johnson said. “I had 50 people, at least, come up and ask me what was up with the signs and why I was wearing my hood up.”

Along with hoodie day, BACC members signed a petition encouraging  further case investigation.

“One of the things [KHS faculty] tries to do here is raise students to become civil-minded adults and an asset to the society, so the fact that students take a stand for things and do it in a correct manner is very important,” Miller said. “Everyone should feel like they have a voice, and in this case it’s our students having a voice on something they feel strongly about. We see that so much with the students here at Kirkwood because they take such a diverse stand on so many different issues.”

On Monday, 04-30-2012, at 7:07 a.m. police responded to a business in the
1100 block of South Kirkwood Road for a property damage. Someone broke out
a window on a door to the business sometime during the overnight hours.

On Monday, 04-30-2012, at 8:36 p.m. a resident from Buerne, Texas, called
Kirkwood Police to report credit card fraud. The victim’s credit card was used at
a business in the 1200 block of South Kirkwood Road to purchase two gift cards
in excess of $200.00.

On Tuesday, 05-01-2012, at 5:26 p.m. a resident from the 1000 block of
Grandview reported a residential burglary. Jewelry and cash were stolen from
the home sometime during the day. A side window was pried open by the
suspect.

On Thursday, 05-03-2012, at 11:40 a.m. officers responded to a residential
burglary at a home in the 300 block of Electric. The resident found a rear
window standing open when she arrived home. The burglar attempted to steal a
few pieces of jewelry but dropped them at the scene.

On Thursday, 05-03-2012, at 3:48 p.m. police were dispatched to a motor
vehicle accident near the intersection of Manchester Road and Ruth. One vehicle
struck a parked vehicle and then left the scene. Police located the adult driver
and the vehicle that left the scene about an hour later. The driver was arrested
for leaving the scene of an accident and driving on a revoked driver’s license.

On Thursday, 05-03-2012, at 6:56 p.m. dispatch received a report of vehicle
driving erratically and nearly striking other vehicles near the intersection of North
Kirkwood Road and Manchester. Officers located the vehicle and investigation
led to the arrest of the adult driver after he was found to be driving under the
influence of alcohol. He was also cited for possession of marijuana and drug
paraphernalia.

On Friday, 05-04-2012, beginning at 6:39 a.m. Kirkwood residents reported six
vehicle break-ins that occurred during the previous overnight hours. The thefts
occurred in the 400 block of Way, the 500 block of Central, the 400 block of
Burns, the 600 block of Knierim, and the 500 block of East Monroe. Sunglasses,
cigarettes, electronics, cash, and a firearm were stolen from the vehicles.

On Saturday, 05-05-2012, at 12:44 p.m. a resident from the 600 block of East
Jefferson reported the theft of jewelry from the residence. Several rings were
found to be missing from the residence sometime within the previous few weeks.

On Sunday, 05-06-2012, at 7:24 p.m. officers stopped a motorist for a traffic
violation on northbound I-270 near Big Bend. The adult driver was driving under
the influence of alcohol and was arrested. Illegal narcotics were also found in her
possession at the time of arrest.

During the week of Monday, April 30, through Sunday, May 6, 2012, Kirkwood
Police arrested 13 adults for stealing merchandise from area businesses. One
offense occurred in the 200 block of West Washington. All other offenses
occurred at the same business in the 1200 block of South Kirkwood Road. Some
of the arrestees faced additional charges to include resisting arrest, possession of
marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and trespassing. One of the adults
arrested was charged with a felony since he had at least two prior theft-related
convictions.

Senior Exams

Friday, May 11    – Exam periods 1 and 4 (Seniors attend all day)

Monday, May 14    – Exam periods 5 and 6 (Seniors attend periods 5-7)

Tuesday, May 15    – Exam periods 2 and 7 (Seniors attend periods 2-7)

Wednesday, May 16    – Exam period 3 (Seniors attend period 3)

- Last Day for seniors and they pick up their caps and gowns after last exam on Wednesday.

Underclassmen Exams

Monday, May 21    – Exam period2 (Full day, no drop)

Tuesday, May 22    – Exam periods 4 and 6 (Half day)

Wednesday, May 23    – Exam periods 3 and 7 (Half day)

Thursday, May 24    – Exam periods 1 and 5 (Half day)

- *Last day for underclassmen.

VARSITY
Caroline Andrews
Elise Bullmer
Sophia Compton
Abagail Freeman
Lakin Grus
Olivia Harris
Shannon Kilfoy
Kaitlynn Kimball
Kayla Lackland
Kelley Ludbrook
Emilee Madlinger
Jennifer Madlinger
Abagail Messer
Jayna Patrick
Madison Rivera
Talia Shaefer
Jessica Striler
Rachel Trout
LaBriah Tyler
Alex Zarrick

JUNIOR VARSITY
Gillian Baker (current 8th grader)
Sophia Bjorkamn (current 8th grader)
Jessica Colter
Kaitlynn Cummings
Katharine Eicher
Lucy Griesedieck
Olivia Hodge (current 8th grader)
Alice Holden
Courtney Kunzelman
Sophia Lanzendorf
Brittany Richards

FRESHMAN
Miranda Ahearn
Alexis Barnett
Isabelle Chan
Caylie Connors
Maria Detling-Nusse
Hanna Doane
Sophia Giraffa
Alyssa Hilderbrand
Annisha Jones
Madison Lodde
Anna Schaeffer
Christine Stewart
Anna Riley Yoviene

On Monday, 04-23-2012, at 4:09 p.m. police received a report of a theft from a
vehicle parked in the 600 block of Mendelsohn. The resident report sometime
during the day a purse containing credit cards and cash was stolen from an
unlocked vehicle.

On Tuesday, 04-24-2012, at 12:27 a.m. officers were summoned to the 1200
block of South Kirkwood for a report of property destruction. An adult was
reported to have broken out the windows of a vehicle parked on the parking lot of
a business. The adult was arrested for property damage. The case was referred
to the St Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

On Tuesday, 04-24-2012, at 9:47 a.m. police received delayed report of a
larceny. The victim reported a cell phone stolen during the previous day when he
was visiting a business in the 100 block of South Geyer.

On Tuesday, 04-24-2012, at 7:49 p.m. a resident from the 500 block of
Scottsdale reported a theft from to police. Sometime during the day cash was
stolen from the residence.

On Wednesday, 04-25-2012, at 3:01 p.m. detectives received an identity theft
report from a resident in the 400 block of South Clay. The resident received a
call from creditors looking to collect on a cable bill in excess of $800.00 for an
address in Hanley Hills, MO. The resident never lived at the address the service
was provided to.

On Wednesday evening, 04-25-2012, police received two reports of vehicle
break-ins. The first was reported at a residence in the 1200 block of South
Glenwood at 7:15 p.m. The second was reported at 7:33 p.m. in the 100 block of
Timberbrook. In both cases windows were broken out of the vehicles and purses
were stolen.

On Thursday, 04-26-2012, at 3:38 p.m. police were dispatched to a residence
in the 100 block of East Sarah for a burglary. The resident arrived home to
find a window to the residence opened by unknown persons and a rear door
standing open. A computer, camera, and jewelry were stolen from the residence
sometime during the day.

On Friday, 04-27-2012, at 4:43 p.m. police received a report of a residential
burglary in the 600 block of South Geyer. The resident reported jewelry, laptop
computer, and cash stolen from the home sometime during the day. A side door
was forced open.

On Saturday, 04-28-2012, at 5:17 p.m. officers responded to the 600 block of
Wooddell Court for a larceny. The victim reported someone entered his unlocked
vehicle and stole a GPS and backpack from the vehicle sometime during the
previous overnight hours.

On Saturday, 04-28-2012, at 5:18 p.m. police were dispatched to a residence in
the 400 block of West Monroe for a burglary. The home, which was vacant, had
a basement window forced open. Nothing was stolen from the home.

On Sunday, 04-29-2012, at 1:47 a.m. officers stopped a motorist for a traffic
violation near the intersection of Taylor and Argonne. The adult driver was found
to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was arrested.

On Sunday, 04-29-2012, at 8:35 a.m. four vehicles were reported to be broken
into at a business in the 1200 block of South Kirkwood Road. Electronics and golf
clubs were stolen. A fifth vehicle was later reported damaged but no entry was
made to the vehicle.

During the week of Monday, 04-23-2012, through Sunday, 04-29-2012,
Kirkwood Police arrested eight adults for shoplifting merchandise from area
businesses. The offenses all occurred at businesses in the 1200 block of South
Kirkwood Road. One adult was charged with felony stealing since he had at least
two prior theft-related convictions. Another adult was charged with a felony
since the dollar value of the merchandise she stole was over $500.00

Inside the main office, right outside principal Dr. Mike Havener’s office, hangs the annual KHS staff picture. Every teacher, counselor and custodian, dressed in the same red t-shirt, huddles in the varsity gym bleachers to pose during the staff’s first day. Everyone in the picture is employed by the Kirkwood School District, except for one.

Despite being unable to work, he is a permanent member of the Kirkwood family. Mike Bales spent almost 10 years at KHS posing for the same picture he participated in this year. The only difference now is his wheelchair.

To those who worked with him, the photo is a reminder of Bales’ dedication to KSD over the past 12 years. It is a gesture of respect to the man who served seven years as a Kirkwood police officer before becoming the first KHS school resource officer from 1999-2008. Most of all, the photo is a celebration of how far Bales has come since the post-surgical complications left him unable to walk, speak or eat on his own.

Recovery and change

After working as a Kirkwood police officer and detective from 1991-1999, Bales spent nine years as the first KHS school resource officer. He helped council and investigate student behavioral issues as well as implement safety procedures and policies not only for KHS but several schools in the district. In 2008, Bales retired from the police force to become the first KSD director of safety and security. He loved being a police officer and with kids, but he was just as excited to develop his new position with the district.
“He loved everything about being here,” Teri Bales, Bales’ wife, said. “The thing he missed most about leaving was the kids.”

While working at the district office, Bales began experiencing blurry vision and pain in his left eye in December 2009. Doctors diagnosed the cause as a benign tumor in his pituitary gland. After spending months on medication to treat his condition, he went into the hospital Christmas day of 2010 with severe headaches. When doctors informed him the tumor had increased in size, Bales received brain surgery Jan. 19, 2011.

Bales suffered several strokes due to surgical complications. Unconscious for 20 days after the surgery, the strokes left him unable to function without full-time medical care. He could no longer speak to his wife of 15 years. Confined to a feeding tube and respirator, he could not eat or breathe properly on his own. When he finally left the hospital in late May, he was off his respirator, but was still fully immobilized in a wheelchair with a feeding tube, showing very little response or communication to his family or medical staff. The road to recovery was just getting started.

Because each stroke patient is different, the limits of Bales’ recovery are uncertain. Teri has since hired a full-time caregiver to assist Bales in their home, which has been renovated with a new bathroom and wheelchair ramp to suit his condition. In October, Bales was removed from his feeding tube and began showing significant improvement. As the muscles in his body strengthened through intense physical therapy, Bales regained some use in his upper body. He can drink from a straw, lightly scratch an itch, and even use his hands to place cookie dough on a tray.

“There was a lady at physical therapy who didn’t even look like she had a stroke, which made me really excited because it gives us hope,” Teri said.

But what Teri notices the most are his facial expressions. As his facial muscles build, he can now smile, grimace, and even give one-word responses.

“He’s been improving little bits every day,” Teri said. “I get so excited when he talks. For Christmas he was able to say ‘Merry Christmas.’ Like the Willy Wonka story where Charlie gets the golden ticket, I believe Mike’s going to get the golden ticket for recovery.”

Teri defines the “golden ticket” as Mike being able to walk and talk, and she won’t settle for less. Until that ticket comes, it is going to be an expensive wait.

To cover costs for full-time nursing, medical bills, physical therapy and housing renovations, Teri works full time at The Pampered Chef, and also dips into the couple’s 401K to pay Nan, their caregiver, who lives in their home to give full-time care. Though Teri believes the biggest medical expenses have passed, next year Bales will move from the KSD insurance policy to Medicare, which will not pay as well as the district. Luckily, the community that Bales spent nearly 20 years making safer has come to his rescue.

Between fundraisers organized by KSD, the Kirkwood Police Department and local businesses such as Scott Mosby Building Arts—which covered labor and parts for wheelchair-accessible housing renovations—the Kirkwood community has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Bales’ recovery according to Teri.  Through the help of donations and fundraisers, none of which were organized by Teri, the couple could afford enough for a down-payment and manageable monthly payments on a wheelchair-accessible van.

“I made the decision early on that I wasn’t going to stress out about money,” Teri said. “Money isn’t going to necessarily make him better. Buying the van isn’t going to be ‘the fix.’ But the van is pretty awesome.”

Bales’ Kirkwood Legacy 

When Chad Walton, resource officer, took over Bales’ job at the start of the 2008 school year, he not only had to replace the man who helped create the school resource officer (SRO) position at KHS, but a beloved staff member.

“It was a huge shoe to fill,” Walton said. “It still is. The staff, they were sad he left. He became part of the [Kirkwood] family.”

Despite being a successful officer for the police department, Walton said, Bales knew how to adapt his job to a school environment.

“He is one of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet,” Walton said. “He knew what his jobs were as an officer, but he also had a very good idea of what he wanted here, so he was a wealth of knowledge for me.”

Dr. Mike Havener, who was an assistant principal during most of Bales’ tenure, remembers how students, well-behaved or not, perceived their school officer.

“He had a balance between being a police officer and being a resource for students who felt comfortable going to him,” Havener said. “It wasn’t the stereotypical thought of ‘Oh my gosh, here comes Mike Bales the police officer.’ It was, ‘Hey, here comes Officer Bales. Can’t wait to talk to him.’”

Since Bales’ last year at KHS was the 2007-08 school year, no current students had him as an officer, but his impact on the district is visible in the safety policy he helped implement in all Kirkwood schools.

“His lasting impact on the district is that we are much safer campus now,” Havener said. “He was never satisfied. He always wanted to make [Kirkwood] a safer place. The groundwork he has layed is still in place today.”

Looking ahead 

Bales may no longer be working in Kirkwood schools, but his appearance in the staff picture reflects his continual importance to the people he spent every school day with for years. Teachers may view losing his daily presence a tragedy, but Teri cannot help but look on the bright side.

“Mike has a lot of new struggles, but I look at everything as a positive. For me, it’s made me worry less about the stupid stuff. I have laughed this year more than I ever have. For me, laughing is dealing.”

Hannah Meneely, senior, stepped out on the ice ready to seize an opportunity that could end up landing herself a spot on the team. But not just any team, a team that represents the United States in world-wide synchronized figure skating competitions.

Meneely tried out the Crystallettes, a highly competitive synchronized skating team based out of Dearborn, Michigan, on March 22. This 18-member group of young women recently won gold in the international Neuchatel Trophy competition in Switzerland.

Though she has been skating since age 5, Meneely admitted she was nervous during the tryouts.

“It was definitely nerve-wracking,” Meneely said. “I knew what [skating moves] they wanted me to do and I could do them, but I had never met those people before and I was trying to show them and do my best.”

Meneely had never tried out for another team before then, she had spent her entire career skating with St. Louis Synergy, the synchronized skating program for the Metro Edge Figure Skating Club. But as she graduates and moves on to college, she wants to explore new opportunities.

Before she skated, Meneely was both a gymnast and an ice skater, but made a decision to focus on one.

“I chose skating because I had gotten a lot better at it than gymnastics,” Meneely said. “I just thought it was really fun. The fact that I was getting really good made me want to continue with it.”

Now Meneely skates multiple times a week on her own or with her private instructor. During competition season, which is from November to April, she skates five times a week, three with her team to practice their synchronized program. They spend anywhere from an hour to two hours on the ice each practice rehearsing their program their coach creates each year.

With all the time spent with her team, Meneely does not always mind giving up her weekends to travel for competitions. She has competed in events in Michigan, Colorado, California, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas for competitions.

“Sometimes it sucks if I do miss out on a party or something when I’m out of town,” Meneely said. “But I do have fun still when I’m at competitions with my team. We’ve all been skating for a really long time, so we’ve grown together. We’re all striving for the same goal. We’re like sisters in a way, that kind of bond.”

One of her teammates, Ella Foley, sophomore, has known Meneely ever since she started synchronized skating. Foley is confident her teammate can make the Crystallettes team.

“Hannah can make any team she wants to,” Foley said. “She’s passed all the big figure skating tests and moves.”

Ramona Peterson, Foley and Meneely’s synchronized skating coach, also believes Meneely has the talent to compete at such a high level. Peterson praises Meneely’s personality, saying her social skills serve her well on the ice.

“She knows how to work with others well to put out a good product,” Peterson said. “She can work with people and get them to work and move together without being bossy.”

Meneely’s coach also loves her leadership skills during competitions and her aura of calmness that influences those around her.

Meneely will find out if she made the Crystallettes in late April, and if she makes it, she could be skating with them by the end of July.

Whether she makes the team or not, Meneely plans to continue her figure skating career beyond high school. She plans to attend Michigan State University for college next fall and will skate for their synchronized skating team if she does not make the Crystallettes. Unfortunately, Meneely couldnt obtain a skating scholarship because colleges do not offer scholarships of that kind. Nevertheless, the Spartan Synchronized Skating Team, started in 1995 and coached by Erin Donovan, is currently ranked second in the nation and is a 12-time U.S. National Medalist.

Meneely looks brightly on to her future in skating in hopes that she can one day reach the elite level she has been striving for.

“Hopefully, synchronized skating will become an Olympic sport and I can maybe be in the Olympics some day.” Meneely said.

Being on the same team with Meneely for so long, Foley said Meneely’s natural talent and leadership will be missed next year when she moves on.

“As a figure skater, she is really graceful,” Foley said. “You can tell when she skates, she really puts her heart into it.”

Last year it was almost impossible to travel through Kirkwood and not see a red “Save 750 North Taylor” lawn sign, but now the house that has seen all 50 Greentree parades, all 104 Turkey day games and the construction of the Kirkwood train station will be facing demolition. Jordan Grommet, sophomore, has grown up living down the block from the historic building.

“[Growing up by 750] is not very different than what you would expect.,” Grommet said. “You would see the people that lived there every once and awhile when you drove by and seeing the house was just kind of a normal everyday thing.”

750 North Taylor is over 135 year old, classifying it as a historic building. Grommet says that because of the history of the house, it is worth keeping up.

“I personally don’t care that much, but I think it should stay up because its at least like 100 years old,” Grommet said. “This whole neighborhood is old houses and it would be kind of weird if they put new apartments or something there.”

Grommet was asked what he would do if he owned the 750 property.

“I think I would leave it up because its so old. Somebody could just buy it and fix it up for the same price and that way it would keep the historic value,” Grommet said.

In contrast to Grommet, Evan Yahng, freshman, sees a benefit to replacing 750 North Taylor with several buildings.

“It’s a smart move because it lets more people move into that neighborhood and it would open up more housing. It could serve a lot of people if they turn it into condos, but I still think it would be better served for a big family,” Yahng said. “As long as it lets families move into Kirkwood that want to, I am o.k. with it.”

Yahng was also asked what he would do if he were in charge of the property.

“I would leave it up. There are families that would pay lots of money to move into that house;” Yahng said. “Especially because it is in a nice neighborhood with a lot of other historic houses.”

The original plan of John Pitcher, managing principal of Gilpin Pitcher Development, was to subdivide the 750 property into three lots, with each having a house on the property. The proposal was brought to the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission on September 21, where the proposal of a two plot subdivision was made.

“I just think folks are not going to be happy with us if we don’t approve this subdivision tonight,” David Osborn, chairman of the commission, said at the Oct 19, 2011 meeting. “I truly think [the three lot subdivision] is a good design and is something we should approve.”

However, the commission voted 6 to 2 against the three lot subdivision, and the details for a 2 lot subdivision were worked out at the Kirkwood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting concerning the house.

“Everyone is entitled to what they want to do, and if these people want to turn 750 North Taylor into condos, then we shouldn’t take that away from them,” Yahng said.

Prom is the one night of the year when girls can spend a total of at least $200 on jewels, a dress and the perfect pair of shoes to look beautiful while guys flaunt their dates. Weeks in advance, girls gossip about how expensive their dress was, while the guys try to figure out which limo to book or what playlist to create. Prom plans should be made in advance, and here is a guide to help students have the perfect night.

1. Pick up your date or get picked up. Be a gentleman and walk up to the door. Talk to the parents to ensure your date will be home safe by the desired time. Then, compliment your date on how beautiful they look while you open the door to the car. On the way to your next destination, try to skip over cliché songs such as “Tonight’s Going to be a Good Night” by Black Eyed Peas or “Raise Your Glass” by Pink.

2. Go to a friend’s house to take pictures. The first photo should be taken with your date because this will most likely be the first photo chosen as your new Facebook picture. Guys, gently wrap your arms around your date, making them feel comfortable and beautiful. Girls, smile naturally because the more you force it, the more awkward the picture turns out. Some common pictures are of the girls shoes or corsages, a group photo and one with the girls turned around so people can see the back of the dresses.

3. Eat dinner and wait for transportation to prom outside. Dinner should consist of light foods since in an hour dancing will rule the night. Zia’s or Del Pietro’s on The Hill are perfect venues and have quick service while still being able to serve a delicious meal. After dinner, compliment your date again to reinstate their confidence after eating, take a couple more pictures and then let the fun begin once everyone ein the bus, limo or car.

4. Arrive at Union Station. Once you and your date have stepped foot onto the dance floor, let loose and have fun. Dance to old ‘90s songs, attempt to reach the middle of the floor or enjoy the punch and chocolate fountain. After an hour or two of dancing, the long wait for court is finally over. After the Prom King and Queen are announced, continue to break down some moves with your date until the clock chimes midnight and it is time to head on to the next event.

5. Go to the after party of your choice. Some go to a friend’s house, or attend the after party at Brunswick Zone Lakeside, organized by the Mother’s Club. Kick off the high heels and loafers, put on a comfy pair of pants and slip on your homemade shirts. Snap a couple more pictures and then celebrate the night with your group of friends.