Students with special needs will get to be the honored guests of a special needs prom, “A Night to Remember,” this April at St. Michael Albertville High School. The second annual event, spearheaded by leaders from Westbridge Church, will take place the night following the mainstream prom so as to take advantage of the prom decor STMA students put together.
Community members and volunteers are coming together now to put together this memorable event. Last year, 111 special needs students attended as honored guests and over 350 volunteers helped pull the night off. Of the volunteers, 115 of them were high school students who volunteered as hosts.
This year’s event is capped at 175 students due to space constraints.
“My hope is that it starts catching on in other communities,” Westbridge Youth Leader Jenny Becker said last week. “We’ve had many people reach out and ask us details and how we got started and we are happy to share that with them.”
The event is no small feat to pull off. Before the night of, there is a lot of coordination that takes place behind the scenes. Dress donations came piling in weeks ago and as the event gets closer, the girls who will attend will get to visit the “Dress Shop” and enjoy a “Say Yes to the Dress” themed event. Boys will enjoy a tux party at Mens Wearhouse where they will get fitted. Mens Wearhouse offers a 60% discount on tux rental with the A Night To Remember group picking up the rest of the cost.
“The only expense to families is shoes,” Becker explained.
Each honored guest costs about $400, when all is said and done, which includes limosuine transportation, food, flowers, make up, hair, rental space and the parent experience.
“We try to do something special for the parents so they can relax and enjoy the evening too,” Becker explained.
The expenses are covered by generous community members who give of their time and talents and also donations. The group is also hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, February 4.
Comedian and magician Tim Gabrielson will be performing at St. Michael Albertville Middle School West. The event is aimed at families with the suggested age being elementary and up. Tickets are available now online with all proceeds going back to A Night to Remember.
If you are interested in volunteering for A Night To Remember, some of their current needs include: hosts ages 15-22 [especially males], graphic design expertise, parking attendants, set up and clean up, licensed hair stylists and make up artists. For current volunteer openings, please check the website.
For those interested in “A Night to Remember Prom” for their special needs kids, visit the event website to register your student.