STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Featured in this week’s Staten Island’s Best Dressed are photos from the Sweet 16 celebration of Leila Rose Parnese, a junior at St.
Joseph Hill Academy. The beautiful Leila celebrated her milestone birthday in grand fashion on July 20, 2024, surrounded by family and friends at The Vanderbilt at South Beach. Leila, who lives in Tottenville with her parents, Deana and Ted Parnese, and her sister, Victoria Rae Parnese, was all smiles as she danced the night away with her nearest and dearest.
“The best part of the night was dancing and celebrating with all of the people I love!” Leila said, beaming with joy. The theme of the night was Paris, with the Vanderbilt ballroom transformed into a luxurious French setting. A stunning 9-foot Eiffel Tower centerpiece added to the ambiance, making guests feel as though they were strolling through the City of Light.
To everyone’s delight, one of the evening’s most enchanting details was the “La Boulangerie de Leila,” a bakery installation inside the venue featuring over 20 dozen macarons, croissants, and other delectable French treats. Leila’s mother, Deana, couldn’t have been prouder, describing the event as a night to remember. “It was a magnificent evening in ‘Paris,’ celebrating Leila and making memories to last a lifetime,” she said.
The evening was as elegant as it was fun. The festivities began with a cocktail hour, where guests were serenaded by the soothing sounds of a harpist. As .