AIS Prom

Couture....High Fashion....High Style.....High Energy and the Ability to Party like we've NEVER seen before!

One thing is for sure.....AIS students know how to PARTY!!

Prom....also known as the event that every high school girl should attend; after all, it is an American tradition.... A night filled with getting ready and dressing up, and a night filled with dancing followed by an after party is quite the life. And for the Atlanta International School students, it was no surprise that they definitely know how to party the night away.

Atlanta International School (AIS) is located in Buckhead and has always prided itself on the national and ethnic diversity represented it's student population and well as it's faculty and staff. Seventy-two countries are represented by the school's student body, with 35 countries represented by members of faculty and staff.

As the innovator of a global curriculum for future leaders, AIS offers a program of academic excellence to American and International students beginning with four-year old kindergarten and culminating in Grade 12 with the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma.

We recently photographed the 2011 Atlanta International School's Prom. Their prom was held at Terminus in Buckhead in the MF Room.

PROM - American Students vs International Students

So....You may be thinking.....What's the main difference in Prom at Atlanta International School vs a traditional Georgia School?

In some ways....a LOT OF DIFFERENCE-----In other ways....Not so much.

Fashion and Style

One of the most noticeable differences was in fashion, style and in dress. Students at local Cobb County schools can mostly be found in traditional tuxes and long prom gowns, often beaded, sequined and very, very dressy. While prom gowns vary in style, most of the prom gowns at traditional schools were either gorgeous flowing ball gowns or more of a straight line long, floor length style. AIS students opted for classic simplicity; Although we did see some long gowns, many wore short very fitted dresses. Un-fussy yet high fashion. And it's really no surprise. When you think about it....Europeans are usually a lot braver with fashion as compared to Americans.

For whatever reason, U.S. designs are a bit more conventional in length, color, and design. In France, Italy, England, and other hot destinations in Europe, the girls have a lot more freedom to express themselves through whatever they put on. Designs from this part of the world are going to be shorter and more daring.

And shoes....SHOES make the look for girls at AIS. Trendy, high fashion, designer shoes were an important part of the outfit for AIS girls. We saw many gorgeous designer shoes with names like Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo at the AIS prom and most of these shoes stayed on their feet all night. At the traditional Cobb County Schools that we've been to for prom, shoes are a less important part of the outfit and are generally kicked off and left in a corner, midway through the evening.

At the AIS prom, we definitely noticed many more guys opting for bow ties and also saw several boasting suspenders. At traditional Georgia schools, a traditional tux with a traditional tie is the choice of most guys.

Prom Photos

This was probably where we noticed the biggest different of all. AIS students, for the most part, did not want traditional prom photography. They did not want posed photos at all....In fact, the prom photos went something like this....

Lights, Cameras, Action.....

AIS - Everyone grab 15 of your closest friends and gather all together at one time on the floor in front of the camera. Then pose...any way you want....Look up, look down, look sideways, be totally animated....kiss the person next to you....do whatever feels good. JUST DO IT!

Then circle around and do it again with a whole new group of friends and this time, strike a new pose. Stick out your tongue, open your mouth, look up, look down....You get the picture.

They were having a BLAST!

Beverly was having a great time...as the more crazy it got, the more fun she had. However, the event facility for the AIS Prom was smaller than most we've been to and students were packed into one room. Because of the limited space, Chuck's job quickly migrated from taking crowd pictures to holding down the equipment. The crowd was so thick that many times, the studio lights and backdrops were nearly knocked over. At that point, we had to do a little crowd control just to maintain our equipment so that we could continue to take pictures. Much to the students' chagrin, we were forced to limit the number of people in each pose to between 2-6. Hopefully, they still had a good time.

Prom photos at traditional southern schools consist of very posed, precise images. Most of which are limited to two people, although sometimes small groups of friends will be included. But once you have had your photo taken one time....that's it. Photos are over...

Not so at AIS. Once you finished having your photo taken, you circled right back around and did it again, and again, and again, and again....we estimated that some students went through the prom photo line 20 times or more.

Food and Beverage

Big difference....

At traditional Georgia Schools, you'll find a huge spread of food which typically includes...

Sandwiches, chips, raw veggies, crackers, cheese, fruits, chocolate fountains, cookies, desserts, chicken tenders, etc.

Drinks usually consist of bottled water and soft drinks

The AIS prom was held in Buckhead in a party room that was part of a very high end sushi restaurant. What was served?

Sushi on platters that were carried around throughout the crowd. Drinks that were served were bottled water, soft drinks and an amazing amount of Red Bull, more Red Bull and Even MORE>>>> RED BULL...

FUN

Although there were some similarities as well as some differences, it was clear that students at all the school proms we've attended definitely know how to have fun!

Bottom line is .....no matter what food is served or what is worn, the students at prom seem to have the time of their lives. After all, how often do Dress to the Nines,

go to dinner and party it up out on the town with all your best friends and without your parents?

Who could ask for more?

New Life for Zion...

IMAGINE.....

Being a young family with two little boys and finding out that one of them at age 5 has a very rare and very serious kidney disorder.

Just Imagine...
That soon after you have been hit with news that one child is very sick....you then find out that your other child has the same devastating medical issue.

This is the story of Mike, Alisan, Zion and Donovan Parnes.

Next week will be a big week for several families as 6 surgeries will take place over a two day period at Emory and Egleston Hospital as a part of a miraculous "kidney swap". Zion will be getting his long awaited kidney, and his dad, Mike, will be giving a kidney to someone else. Beverly Williams of

Chuck Williams Photography, along with 11 Alive Reporter Jaye Watson, will be in the operating room next week documenting Zion's surgery.

Watch the 11 Alive Video Story Here:

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=187522

We recently photographed Zion and his little brother Donovan along with Mike and Alisan Parnes.

Here is their story....

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WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN

Mike is a Director with Cartoon Network in Atlanta. Alisan is a Veterinarian. Two years ago, they were just like any other family - A happy couple blessed with two adorable little boys. Then suddenly their lives were all completely turned upside down....

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ZION'S STORY

In August, 2009, Zion who was 5 at the time, had just entered kindergarten. He developed a skin rash that wouldn't go away and was itching him like crazy. This prompted the visit to the pediatrician. The rash was a common skin infection that a lot of kids get, however he had lost some weight and so the doctor decided to run some labs. A routine urinalysis showed excessive protein in his urine and his bloodwork revealed that his kidneys were not working up to task. A biopsy revealed a diagnosis of FSGS (Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis), an extremely rare kidney disorder in which, in most cases, the body, for some unknown reason, literally attacks the kidneys.

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LIFE THREATENING DIAGNOSIS

Zion's doctors had never seen such a severe case of FSGS in someone as young as Zion and he was sent to the National Institute of Health for further examination.
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THEY CHECK DONOVAN JUST FOR PEACE OF MIND...

Just to be sure that their other child was healthy, Alisan and Mike decided to have Donovan screened just to put their minds at ease. He had always been a healthy, strong and thriving child. Plus, FSGS in siblings is virtually unheard of. They were told that the odds of having two children with FSGS was so unheard of, it would be like winning the lottery twice.

Shortly after having Donovan tested, Mike and Alisan received a shocking telephone call....Donovan also had tested positive for FSGS.

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WHAT'S CAUSING THIS??

Genetic testing came up negative...So the question remains....Is the cause of this genetic, autoimmune, viral, environmental or a combination of the above? That's the million dollar question to which no one knows the answer. So far the answer is "Idiopathic" meaning "Unknown Cause".

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ZION LOSES BOTH KIDNEYS

Zion had both of his kidneys removed earlier this year and is currently on peritoneal dialysis awaiting a kidney transplant.

Donovan (who will be 4 in April) may eventually have to face the same thing. The doctors have warned Alisan and Mike that his kidneys may also fail at around age 5 or 6.

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INSPIRATION THROUGH ART
(Formerly The Littlest Heroes Project)
We met Alisan and Mike several months ago when they learned of our affiliation with Inspiration Through Art (formerly The Littlest Heroes Project).
http://www.inspirationthroughart.org/
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READ MORE AND FOLLOW THEIR STORY....

Over the last several months, we have kept in touch with Alisan through her Caring Bridge Website where she updates friends, family and strangers who are interested in following their journey.

They'd also love for you to sign their guest book.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kidneypains

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A TRANSPLANT IS ON THE HORIZON
Last week, Alisan contacted us to let us know that Zion will be admitted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta next week for a kidney transplant.

However, this is no ordinary kidney transplant....

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ALTRUISM....
Definition: Altruism (pronounced /ˈæltruːɪzəm/) is selfless concern for the welfare of others. Altruism is the opposite of selfishness. Altruism focuses on a motivation to help others or a want to do good without reward.

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A DONOR HAS COME FORWARD
One year ago, a young man, unbeknownst to Mike and Alisan, approached the transplant surgeon wanting to donate a kidney to someone out of the goodness of his heart. All they know about him is he is fairly young, in great health, and highly motivated to do this.

The medical team has organized a "kidney chain" using him and several other families in order to maximize the number of transplants - ie "kidney swap".

The Parnes family got involved in this potential chain after both Alisan and Mike had been turned down as kidney donors for their children.
Mike recently signed up to donate one of his own kidneys to someone in exchange for someone to donate to Zion. The surgeries will all take place next week over a 2 day period. Six separate surgeries....several new leases on life...

Chuck Williams Photography will be accompanying Zion and his family next week as they prepare to to receive his new kidney.

Watch our blog, 11 Alive News and Zion/Donovan's Caring Bridge Site for updates.

Become A Donor....Save A Life


Chuck Williams Photography
Chuck, Beverly & Chris Williams
404 925-2921
www.chuckwilliams-photography.com

A LOVE STORY -- Rekindled

Photo Credits - Heather Binkley

A Sweet Story Of A "FIRST LOVE" Rekindled......

Many of you know our daughter Katherine. I had blogged about her a few months ago, telling a story of Katherine's very first boyfriend, Raymond Warner who made the life changing decision to join the Army.

Raymond was Katherine's "first love"....You know...the one that you'll always remember and never forget...The one that you'll have crazy dreams about when you're 50 years old...Yeah, THAT kind of "sweet, I'll never forget you" love.

Raymond and Katherine first dated the summer after her first year in high school. They dated off and on for a long time. Then they went their separate ways and dated other people throughout her high school years.

Unbeknownst to me, just before Raymond left for the Army this past January, he and Katherine began "talking" again. When Raymond suddenly showed up at our home on the day he was leaving for basic training, I talked the two of them into letting me take a few photos of them in the studio.

Raymond has been in Basic Training at Fort Knox (Kentucky) since January. He and Katherine have been writing letters to each other the entire time. During Basic Training, things are very strict. He has no access to a phone, cannot receive calls, cannot receive care packages, etc. The only thing he CAN receive are hand written letters. So, just like in the olden days, they have written letters back and forth to each other since he's been gone.

The soldiers get very little free time. Every minute is spent training, so when you receive a letter from one of them during basic training, it's a really BIG deal. Raymond has sent Katherine approximately 10 letters...She has sent him about 17. And through those letters, their love has been reignited.

This past weekend was "Family Day" where the soldiers get to finally see their families. Families travel from all over the US to Fort Knox to see their loved ones. Raymond invited Katherine to come up for Family Day. His Mom, Renee and his brother Connor, invited her to ride up with them. She had a blast with Raymond's mom, and they talked all the way to Kentucky.

In their most recent letters to each other, Raymond told Katherine how he couldn't wait to see her. Katherine couldn't wait to see him either.

Raymond's Dad, Chet Warner and his fiance', Heather Binkley, also traveled to Family Day to see Raymond. Heather took some amazing photos and generously shared them with us.

All of these photos are courtesy of Heather Rae Binkley. Thanks Heather!

Raymond and Katherine spent the entire weekend together along with Raymond's Dad and Heather and his Mom, Renee and his brother Connor. Katherine said it was the best weekend ever. When she came home, she talked to us for over an hour, telling us all about her trip.

She said "Seeing and being with Raymond again was like getting back together with a Best Friend that you haven't seen in years. It was like we've never been apart."

Those old feelings that they once had for each other are back. And this time, it seems those feelings are stronger than ever.

Saying "Goodbye" at the end of the weekend was difficult for everyone...Raymond's parents, his brother and for Katherine. As Raymond turned and walked away, Katherine began counting the days until she could see him again....

Thank you Raymond for serving our country.....and thank you for making our little girl so happy! We love you both!

Beverly and Chuck

Raymond will be in Basic Training for 6 more weeks. He'll be coming home for 10 days the first part of May.

Katherine can't wait...

Thanks To Heather Binkley who really "captured every moment" and shared them with us.