To the Editor:

Congratulations Wilton Class of 2024! The 35th Wilton Youth Council Post Graduation Party (PGP) was held for 301 registered seniors, including many returning from private schools on Saturday, June 15. Following graduation celebrations, students met at the Clune Center to check in and take buses to Chelsea Piers for their all-night party.

This annual Wilton tradition dating back to 1988 is a substance-free, device-free, fun-filled, all-night event planned and funded by the families of the seniors and supported by the whole Wilton community. PGP is the culmination of Class Projects, which form at the end of seventh grade and serve to promote unique opportunities to foster positive choices and create connections among parents and students across our town.

The all-volunteer PGP 2024 Board, led by Jenny Andjelkovic and Cynthia Dempster, worked throughout the entire school year planning an unforgettable night for the senior class. This year’s theme, “Our Time to Shine,” — inspired by the senior sunrise tradition at Compo Beach — was revealed in a message in a bottle invitation and hand-delivered to all attendees on the day after prom by an army of senior parent volunteers.

Actor John Cena personally congratulated the seniors in a send-off video shown at check-in saying, “I just wanted to remind you, give you three words that have guided me through my life: Never Give Up. Because it’s going to get a bit unpredictable. This place you call home for the first part of your life… it is always going to be here to guide you. The time is now to make your future yours. So, congratulations to the graduating class of Wilton 2024. Your time is now!” Special thanks to our very own Franey Donovan, beloved “Voice of the Warriors” and video emcee who revealed the fun line-up of activities and expectations for the night!

With the utmost gratitude, the entire 2024 PGP Board would like to thank these Wilton businesses for their generous donations to the event: Alana Strock & Co./ Studio 13, B. Chic, Bianco Rosso, Blue Star Bazaar, Cactus Rose, Caraluzzi’s, Classically Cate, Cook’s Nook, Craft 14, Connecticut Coffee and Grill, Custom T’s N More, Hometown Spiritwear, Jersey Mike’s, Keough’s, Orem’s Diner, Outdoor Sports, The Painted Cookie, Parlor Pizza, Paul’s Prosperous Printing, Press Burger, Purple Frog Graphics, Signature Style, Southern Yankee, Starbucks, Stop & Shop, Subway Wilton, Tusk & Cup Fine Coffee, Wilton Deli, Wilton Hardware and Village Market.

We feel so lucky to have had the most incredible team! We want to thank our dedicated board members from the bottom of our hearts for their tireless hard work, creativity and joyful team spirit. Their time and talents all contributed to making this a most memorable and special night for our seniors: Christine Baer, Michelle Baronowski, Natalia Bentancur-Ramirez, Eliza Brown, Dawn Caratozzolo, Christine Costello, Kristen Doran, Lisa Finn, Lara Flanagan, Lauren Gibbons, Julie Gillespie, Nalini Hage, Bernadette Hess, Tara Kovach, Melissa Pennucci, Martha Phelan, Christine Polito, Laura Ryan, Chrissy Silva, Tara Snow, Kacky Theoharides, Cristin Wallace and Kathleen Zadourian — along with their committee members.

Additionally, on the eve of PGP, past 2022 Co-Chair Lori Smith and her husband Rodger led 15 fantastic parent volunteers from the classes of 2025 and 2026 in the set-up at Chelsea Piers. Also noteworthy are the 99 parent chaperones of graduates who worked various shifts throughout the night at the event. Thank you all, and thank you to the Wilton Youth Council and our senior parent community for supporting this treasured tradition with your contributions of time and your participation in our fundraisers and socials.

This event is an enormous undertaking and absolutely could not have happened without you!

Jenny Andjelkovic and Cynthia Dempster
2024 PGP Event Co-Chairs