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More Room Found For Students At Sold-Out New Jersey Prom

BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- There should be room enough for everyone at a New Jersey high school's prom after all.

As CBS 2's Elise Finch reported, Bordentown Regional High School students were buzzing about the prom for days. Not because students were excited to attend, but because the school ran out of tickets.

Some students were initially told that due to space constraints they might not be able to attend. Tickets were sold out when they went on sale on Monday and a dozen students were put on a waiting list.

Because there are only 150 students in each grade, juniors and seniors have a joint prom. Interim Superintendent Joseph Miller said typically 300 students attend prom each year. So when the students voted to hold their prom at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, they knew they were cutting it close.

"It was a big deal because everyone was rushing and everyone was trying to get their money" said tenth grader Malaika Robinson.

"Seniors should have first chance to go to prom because its their last year, their last chance to go," said one senior.

"I think it was poor planning. Push the numbers up," said parent Sarah Haulenbeek.

On Wednesday, however, Miller said that Adventure Aquarium has made space available for 50 additional students at next month's party.

An overflow room has been secured at the aquarium for the extra students.

"We actually decided to open our public space. We created 60 more seats and they still get a panoramic view," said Laura Batchelor, of Adventure Aquarium.

More Room Found For Students At Sold-Out Prom

"Their tables will be there and they'll be served dinner in that adjacent area but at any time during the proceedings they're free to wander back and forth between the adjacent room and the main room, where the dance floor and the DJ will be," Miller said.

The capacity of 300 for the venue seemed like enough when it was chosen last year, Miller said.

"It was a fairly safe assumption on the part of the prom committee a year ago to select a venue that could only accommodate 300 because we have never exceeded that, but I believe the popularity of having the prom at the Adventure Aquarium brought out people that otherwise may not have been interested in attending the prom," Miller said.

Miller said those who get the additional tickets will have to pay a $5 fee on top of the $100 ticket so the district can rent another bus to transport them.

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