Staten Island nightlife: 180 guests celebrate Gabriella's Sweet 16

Gina Mendez, birthday girl Gabriella Gaglia, and Julia Bye. (Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- When Gabriella Gaglia was planning her Sweet 16 as a student at St. John Villa Academy, never in her wildest dreams did she ever think she would not be enrolled in her beloved high school.

But that was the unexpected reality when Villa shuttered unexpectedly in June and Gabriella enrolled as a junior at St. Joseph by-the-Sea High School.

As anyone knows, school and social pressures are tough enough without having to change high schools to add to the teen angst.

But all's well that ends well, as Gabriella adjusted beautifully to her new school, Sea students welcoming her with open arms. She even made the varsity cheerleading team.

And what's more, Gabriella celebrated her Sweet 16 on Nov. 16 at the Vanderbilt, South Beach, surrounded by 180 family and friends, 110 of them old and new friends and students from both Villa and Sea.

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Gabriella Gaglia celebrates her Sweet 16. Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

"Gab originally wanted a vacation for her Sweet 16, but then decided less than a year ago before that she would rather celebrate with all her friends rather than choose a few to go on vacation with," said her mom, Teresa Gaglia.

Being a student from Villa and starting Sea as a junior played a roll in the number of kids attending.

"She was so close with her Villa girls and couldn't leave them out, but she has joined St Joseph by-the-Sea and made more friends, especially her teammates on the varsity cheer team, which have welcomed her. So everyone was invited."

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Gabriella's Sweet 16 was staged to perfection, to the delight of her nearest and dearest.

"I had such a great night with my family and friends. It was everything I could have imagined and more," said Gabriella.

"Everyone was dancing the whole night from the second I walked in until we left. It was definitely a night I won't forget."

Gabriella chose a fall theme for her Sweet 16, which she and her family said was out of their comfort zone because they always prefer beach themes. "But we pulled it off," said mom Teresa.

"We made all the decorations ourselves, including a flower wall wooden palette and doughnut wall and candy table."

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Gabriella And Teresa Gaglia. (Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions)

There was another, more serious issue that arose before Gabriella's Sweet 16.

Her mom, Teresa, suffered some serious medical emergencies earlier this year, from January to March. "I had medical issues which put plans on hold," said Teresa.

"I had something called super ventricular tachycardia (SVT) and I went to the emergency room over seven times with heart rates over 200."

Teresa has had three emergency ablations and is currently feeling better, managing her condition with medication and with the hands of her surgeons.

"With my cell phone and my Apple Watch, it is mostly under control for now until we can set a date for the next ablation. I am so grateful to have made it through the party and be able to celebrate Gabriella's special night with family and friends with out an incident."

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Birthday girl Gabriella Maglia, center, is flanked by her sisters, Brianna and Alexa, at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

"Although Villa closed, which was a shock to all of us, I have still remained close with the girls I became friends with while I was there," said birthday girl Gabriella. "It was tough when we all had to split. We all thought that we would have trouble adapting to our new schools, especially since all of us wouldn't be together everyday.

"Even though we all went to different schools we all still talk daily, especially when it was all of our first days of school. Everyone called each other on the phone to ask their friends how their first days went. The thing I miss most about Villa is the teachers. I became close with most of the teachers I had, I would even talk to them on Monday mornings telling them all about my weekend."

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Kiera Evanego, Chira Arrabito, Jillian Lazzara, Gab Foresta, Gab Martin, Dorothy Scarbaggio, Jenn John and Sam Aloi at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

Gabriella said the thing she misses most is seeing her Villa friends daily and she often wonders how they are doing. "Transitioning into St. Joseph by the Sea. by the Sea was not easy but everyone made me feel welcomed as if I was always a part of the Sea family, not an outsider," said Gabriella.

"What really helped me fit right in was joining the competitive cheer team at sea, it helped make this transition a lot easier. My coaches are great and I love my team. I spend a lot of time with them and I am looking forward to competing at Nationals."

She continued: "Starting the year at Sea has also allowed me to be reunited with my friends from eighth grade again while also making new friendships along the way. I am happy I chose Sea. I like the school and I like the teachers and everyone who has helped my adapt.

"I look at my time at Villa and will always treasure it because there will be nothing like that again but I am happy at Sea, and I am looking forward to making more memories."

Scroll down for more photos of Gabriella's beautiful Sweet 16 celebration.

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Teresa DiSalvo-Bevilaqua and James enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Guests enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Guests enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Guests enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Laura, Nicholas and William Picarello at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Angela Mafaro and daughter Angelina enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Mickey DeNicola, Gab Gaglia and Nicholas Palmieri at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Vanessa Cona, Julia Bye, Liv Biscardi, and Christena Armento at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Bella Loboue and Sam Calcutta. Fun scene at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Francesca Gaglia and her uncle, Michael Gaglia, enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Michael Gaglia, Alexa Gaglia and Sal Gaglia enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Nicholas, Deanna and Delilah Palmieri enjoy themselves at the Sweet 16 party. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Dominick and Lisa Cuccio. Fabulous scene at the Sweet 16 party of Gabriella Gaglia. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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Courtesy Partners in Sound Productions

Gianna Uggiano and Alexa Cristino. Fun scene at the Sweet 16 party of Gabriella Gaglia on Nov. 16 at Vanderbilt, South Beach. (Photos courtesy of Partners in Sound Productions)

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