Gary Nolan is no stranger to embracing the coveted title of “Guinness World Record holder.” In 2017, the Yardley resident ran the fastest marathon in a colonial American costume. Currently, his name is proudly inscribed in the book, patiently waiting for another runner to challenge his accomplishment.
Approximately one year ago, a thought occurred to Nolan as he helped prepare his daughter Melanie, a recent graduate of Pennsbury High School, for her attendance at what Seventeen deemed the “best prom in America” – how could Melanie and her peers land a spot in the Guinness book as well?
After some research, the answer came to Nolan.
If the Pennsbury community came together in full force, he knew it could beat the record for largest mural of kisses, which had been set at 13,316 kisses by a group in Brazil in 2012. The record-breaking effort was pitched by Nolan and his wife Amy to Pennsbury High School East principal Reggie Meadows, who was immediately on board for the project.
During the school’s 2019 commencement ceremony, held on June 11 at Falcon Field, Meadows had the pleasure of making a special announcement that was met with thunderous applause by graduates, staff and loved ones in attendance – Pennsbury shattered Brazil’s record with a whopping 41,692 kisses.
The prints were spread tightly across a 63-foot-long, 11-foot-high 3D mural that spelled “ROCK MUSIC,” which featured an 18-foot-high guitar centerpiece. Not one inch of the gargantuan creation was lacking a colorful kiss. The masterpiece was featured on June 1 at the senior prom, which boasted the theme “Prom to the Music.”
“We are delighted that the Pennsbury community embraced the work involved with earning this world record. This project would never have come to fruition without countless hours of volunteers working in various aspects of the mural,” Nolan said. “We had several parents who each made thousands of lipstick prints. We had others who counted and glued the prints. And, of course, the students rallied behind the mural and worked hard to complete it in time for prom.”
Throughout the 2018-2019 academic year, the Nolans led the charge to accumulate tens of thousands of lip prints from students, parents, alumni, teachers, administrators and community members interested in helping to achieve the goal.
Over a period of 3.5 months, from February to May, lipstick kiss prints were applied to blank papers during sporting events, special school events, prom committee meetings and even in homes. The prints were then bundled into groups of 50 and bagged into packs of 100 and stored, ready to be glued.
As a Guinness World Record application requirement, the entire gluing process had to be documented. Shivani Patel, a senior media production specialist, was instrumental in ensuring this was fully videotaped. Patel was consistently at each session, making sure the work was framed in the shot, the tripod was steady, the batteries were charged and the memory card was ready.
The 63-foot-long mural was created by volunteer students, led by Pennsbury prom co-chairs Mollie Nellist and Savannah Fuhrmann, with assistance from co-chair Angelica Ramirez. The mural, the design of which was approved by Guinness World Records in November 2018, was an eye-grabber in the gym during the event, with guest artists DJ Pauly D and Desiigner performing alongside it.
Key players in the project also included faculty prom advisors Tony Napoli and Curtis May, and Pennsbury parent Patrick Gilbride, who scored a major donation of lipsticks from Estee Lauder and Smashbox to ensure there was never a shortage of products.
“It’s the traditions and community that combine to make something as special as the prom and a Guinness World Record,” Nolan said. “That sense of pride in tradition is why community members, parents, bus drivers, teachers and yes, students, all get together to create something they can be proud of.”
Only time will tell how the class of 2020 plans to top this one…
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
