Twilight Prom

In April 2009 Sydney and Melbourne were lucky enough to host a worldwide first Twilight event. A Monte Carlo themed prom just like the one in Twilight. Kellan Lutz and Edi Gathegi were in attendance to add that special something extra. In the months leading up to event, attendees submitted their entries to win the coveted crowns of Prom Princess and Prom Queen. Entries were voted on by the public via the Twilight Australia forums and by a panel of judges. The lucky 5 finalists for each city then created a poster to be displayed at the prom and attendees voted on their favourites on the night. The winners won a beautiful tiara, a dance with Kellan and Edi and the envy of everyone in the room. Here we have the recounts of Sydney's Prom Princess Zoe Townsend and Melbourne's Prom Queen Jemma Plunkett

Zoe: A Princesses View of the Sydney Prom by Zoe

The day had finally arrived. Prom. The night I had been waiting for since it was announced on the Hub site back in November 2008, before even the convention. The evening I had been so nervous about since I had gotten my call from Carissa telling me I was in the top five for Prom Queen! Leaving early from my home town that morning I began to feel queasy as the day progressed. After getting both my hair and make up done my friend, sister and I went back to our room in which I personally crowned it as the mad house. For 2 hours I fiddled and primped many hair do's, finally getting myself worked up to nearly a panic attack by 6pm about the fact I was about to meet Kellan Lutz. After finishing my sister's hair I rushed to get dressed, having to be stopped by my friend Sal so I could calm down. Once I was ready and calmed into a respectable excitement, our group of about 10 people left, wanting to get there early.

When we were lined up we all couldn't hide our smiles, especially getting to see other TA members in the line. Once inside I was practically bouncing on my toes when I saw Carissa, handing her my rather pathetic excuse for a Prom Queen poster. Straight away I was gob smacked! The room at the Embassy looked beautiful and already I was excited for what the evening had in store.

Once I got my bearings okay room wise we were lining up to get photos with both Kellan and Edi. My breathing started to become hitched and I think I was in a daze as the line progressed closer and closer. When I finally came face to face with both Kellan and Edi, my usual happy go lucky, confident nature went out the window and I turned into a quietly spoken, randomly squeaking little girl, something I thought I'd be okay with considering I had met Edi before and was comfortable talking to him at the cocktail party for the convention months before. I assume it was the mix of Kellan, the guy I've been swooning over for quite a while now. Before I knew it the photo was all done and I was walking back into the main room, jelly legged from the post swoon and squeeing when I saw friends.

Once that was over I socialised, meeting new people I had talked to online and greeting others I had met before hand at the convention, with nearly everyone getting one of my signature huggles!!! I was particularly excited to meet Ebony, who I had been talking to regularly on the phone and through the net, brought together through our positions in the top five. She seemed both excited and nervous about the Prom Queen competition and like me she believed she had no chance. I on the other hand would of bet all my gambling chips (which funnily enough I never used) that she'd get the crown.

As the night progressed I continued socialising and sometimes watching a friend bet big on one of the gambling table. I spent quite a while around the Gifts for the Geek table, annoying Darren and having a good old time. Then the music started to really pick up and that's when my feet itched to get on the dance floor and shake my groove thang! Even as the guys came into the room and people flocked I continued dancing only really stopping so I can have a separate picture with Kellan, once again going all girly and shy in his presence.

After my separate photo with Kellan I returned to the main room to pretty much enjoy the night. I was having the best of time with mates I had met from TA, enjoying myself and not following the crowd once the guys were brought out once again. Then the time came, Prom Queen time. I had been having such a wonderful time I had forgot it was coming up. I was right up the back of the room when Meg called my name as Prom Princess. I completely didn't expect it. Looking at my friend Amanda after my name was called, I asked if this was a joke, wondering why in the world would I be made Prom Princess. I had to be pushed a little to move, still in disbelief that Meg had called my name.

As I slowly moved through the crowd I could barely speak up for people to move I was in that much shock. Once up on stage Edi placed the crown on my head, having to fix it when Kellan told him he had done it wrong. Standing there with Meg in shock I woke up when Ebony's name was called for Prom Queen. I think I was more excited that Ebony had gotten Prom Queen, telling her I knew she'd get it when I hugged her once she had gotten upstairs.

Then before I knew it, it was dance time. It was funny, I've been able to dance things like waltz's since I was young but once Edi took my hand every dance move I ever knew flew out of my head. My feet didn't want to move and when Edi started to dance with me I apologised to him for not being able to dance, then smiling when he told me not to worry and that all I had to do was let him lead. As the music progressed I relaxed and began talking to Edi about pretty much everything.

When I look back now I can honestly say that moment was one of the best in my life. The whole day itself was wonderful but with dancing with Edi along to 'Flightless Bird, American Mouth'.

Jemma: Melbourne's Prom Queen

The lead up days to prom were very exciting and impatient times, I was going with my friends Naomi and meeting other girls from Twilight Australia, the most awesome group of twilight fans ever! Naomi was the one who encouraged me to enter for Prom Queen, when i initially didn't want too, but I figured there was no harm in doing so, even though I knew not to expect anything. I just entered for fun. When I got the call from Carissa telling me I'd been nominated I couldn't believe. I was genuinely shocked as didn't expect anything, after I hung up I literally just fell on the floor. It made me even more excited for the big night which seemed impossible.

April 24th finally came along, and I spent the whole day having a great time getting ready. Then it was time for us to go! I couldn't believe it was finally time after all this waiting, I felt like I was going to combust. We went to the the pre-meet up with the Twilight Australia girls and it was so great to finally meet them after speaking online for so long. The weather had no hope on bringing our spirits down as we ran through a break in the rain praying it wouldn't start again on the way to the Oaks hotel! We were some of the first people there as we were about an hour early but it was great seeing all the beautifully dressed up people come through the doors and meet people.

When it was time to enter the ballroom, the prom queen nominees were called up the front of the queue so my friend and fellow nominee Alissa went up the front with our TA crew. Naomi and I were the first people to enter the ballroom, it was decorated beautifully with lights and candles, similar to the gazebo from the twilight movie itself! There were Monte Carlo casino games everywhere, as well as merchandise stalls that I went crazy at, especially gifts for the geek!

Then it was time to get our photos taken with Kellan and Edi! I was freaking out in line because I didn't want to embarrass myself or freak them out as they already get enough of the unnecessary fan craziness all over the world, but I managed to compose myself, on the outside as least, when it came to my turn. I almost dropped dead when I saw Kellan's face, he is one of the most gorgeous people I've ever seen in my life, and as a massive die hard Rob girl, Rob gained some big competition at that moment, but we'll see what happens to that when I meet Robert.

Edi and Kellan were both incredibly polite and so so nice, after the photo was taken I thanked them both and Kellan gave me that dimple smile of his and I pretty much melted I don't know how i managed to walk away. I spent most of the night just dancing away with everyone, the word was from Sydney Prom that Prom Queen and Princess were announced around 10, so I was trying hard to count down till then as I was a bit nervous. I believed that if I were lucky enough to win a title, it would be Princess, as Queen seemed way too impossible, but I wouldn't let myself be disappointed if I missed out as I was already lucky enough to be nominated. The guys making the DVD interviewed all the nominees, and I swear I felt famous answering questions for a camera like that! It was very cool.

Then The Hub called everyone to the front as they were going to announce Prom Queen and Princess. My stomach dropped a million levels and I dragged myself over. I was nervous but more excited. Then Dana was announced as Prom Princess! I was so happy for her but a bit disappointed as I thought that if I had a chance it would only be for princess, but i wasn't going to be sad because Dana deserved it. But then it happened, "And Prom Queen is.... Jemma!". I just froze, and went blank. What!? I couldn't grasp it. People were cheering and I was just standing where I was unable to move, Naomi had to push me to the front! Then I was there standing in front of Kellan Lutz! He crowned me and I turned around to face everyone and I couldn't believe anything it was unbelievable! I can't describe how I felt but it was something like pure happiness mixed with amazement and many other things.

Then I had my dance with Kellan Lutz, I couldn't believe what was happening. He was a fantastic leader which was great as I couldn't really move properly at that moment, I was holding onto him really hard as I felt he was just going to disappear. He is one of the sweetest, most charming people I've ever met, we just talked the whole time and I just remember being so happy.

After the dance I was in the strangest mood, I couldn't believe what had just happen and I was so amazed and happy, people were congratulating me and even asking to have photos with me! When I went to get my autographs, Kellan thanked me for the dance and called me his Prom Queen, and wrote a big I <3 U above the autograph, he then promised me he'd come back, and he's made good of that promise by signing up for the twi-tour and I get to see him in 85 days, not that I'm counting or anything.

It's been two months since Prom now, and I still can't believe that I am Melbourne's Twilight Prom Queen. The whole experience was without a doubt was of the greatest of my life, and it is something I will cherish forever.