As a member of the prom planning committee, Thomas Jefferson High School senior Danielle Bennett spent a considerable amount of time stressing over disc jockeys for the event.

Her problems are solved.

At a surprise school assembly last week, a representative from Seventeen Magazine announced that Bennett is the grand prize winner of the 2008 Rock Your Prom sweepstakes sponsored by Seventeen and JCPenney.

As part of the prize, the popular alternative rock band The All-American Rejects will perform at Thomas Jefferson’s prom on May 31. Bennett also won a prom dress and makeover from JCPenney, a limo ride and dinner, a red carpet prom entrance for the event and her photo on Seventeen’s Web site. She was one of more than 56,000 applicants who signed up at JCPenney locations nationwide.

“I was shopping and I filled out a little piece of paper like ‘Oh well, this’ll never happen to me,’” Bennett said.

She was so excited, she was almost shaking Thursday morning after learning the news. She grinned as friends gathered around to hug and congratulate her.

“Oh my gosh this is insane,” she said. “This doesn’t happen to people in Washington.”

Classmates were also enthusiastic to learn that the band would be playing at their prom.

“Usually they always play rap, so it might be cool to have something different,” said senior Diana David.

“So many people enter those things and for her to get it is such an honor,” said senior Jen Wamsley.

Bennett’s mom, Dawn, said her daughter deserved a prize like this because of all her hard work at school. Bennett is the captain of the cheer team, class treasurer and member of the prom planning committee.

Contact Margo Hoffman:

mhoffman@fedwaymirror.com