By Dave Ryan
Smithtown, NY – For the students at Branch Brook Elementary School, Flag Day was a morning to listen to patriotic music from the school orchestra and band, sing some songs and celebrate America. For the teachers, it was the culmination of many months of practice with the students and a moment that they had secretly planned a surprise for one of their own.
As Principal Ireen Westrack introduced each performance, she took a moment to announce that there was a special award to be given out during the ceremony. Immediately, the faculty broke into a chorus of “Going to the Chapel”. Except for one teacher, who seemed to be unaware of this part of the program. First grade teacher Danielle Davey looked around, and wondered why everyone was singing until she looked up at the stage and saw a photo of herself and her boyfriend projected on the screen. From behind the curtain, her boyfriend Christopher Begina stepped forward holding a bouquet of flowers. He walked towards Danielle, got down on one knee and proposed. After she accepted his proposal, the students cheered and hugged their teacher as she showed them her new engagement ring. “I had no idea what was about to happen! Like every girl, I was eagerly awaiting “the big proposal” but I never imagined he would propose at school! When all of the teachers started singing, I was so confused. I finally figured it all out and then all I could do was smile….oh yea, and I screamed, too!, .”said Danielle afterward.
Hiding in the back of the auditorium were Danielle’s parents and sister along with Christopher’s mother. Danielle’s sister drove from New Jersey to be part of the surprise. “I was so happy that everyone was there! Chris pointed them out right away because he knows how important my family is to me,” exclaimed Danielle.
The engagement culminated a three year courtship that began when Kathy Smerechniak, a colleague at Branch Brook, arranged a date between Christopher and Danielle. “I knew they were both from the same town and both were Mets fans, and I knew they are both special people who I thought would be perfect for each other,” said Kathy. Their first date was a baseball game at Shea Stadium that was interrupted by lightning and heavy rains. Kathy helped Chris to plan the proposal and worked with the rest of the staff at Branch Brook Elementary to surprise Danielle.
Danielle is a Smithtown resident who graduated from Smithtown High School in 2000, while Christopher grew up in Nesconset and graduated in 2001. Christopher is currently employed at Lawrence Metal Products in Bay Shore. The couple is looking forward to a wedding in 2012.