In fact, nearly 150 special needs students from Lebanon, Kings, Mason, Little Miami, Waynesville, Carlisle, Miamisburg, Franklin and the Warren County Educational Service Center traveled to the Old Hollywood-themed event.
“For the majority of my students, this will be the (only) prom they will attend,” said Waynesville High School Intervention Specialist Christy Baker, who even creates a count down in her classroom to the dance. “This day allows them not only the opportunity to have fun in a safe environment but also have the opportunity to meet students from other districts.”
They were joined by more than 120 of their typical peers who volunteered to help make the event a success. Together, they enjoyed walking the red carpet, eating a catered meal, dancing and having photos taken at a photo booth.
“The highlights of the prom are seeing typical students and special needs students dancing and having a blast together and not knowing which student is which,” Titmas said. “It’s also great seeing students who are normally quiet or shy dancing for the whole two hours.”
Little Miami High School students also got to experience extended prom celebrations. Instead of an after-prom party late at night, the school hosted a pre-prom party where students named their own prom king and queen — King Ishmael Williams and Queen Leann Keeton.
“The opportunity for students to attend the Daylight Prom is important, because it provides the experience of prom in a setting that also delivers the support needed,” said DeeDee Walker, director of special education for Little Miami Local Schools. “Each student has a date that joins them for the pre-prom where the group dances, takes a lot of pictures and enjoys food and drinks. The students are then escorted to the bus that will then take them on to the Daylight Prom, where they are able to really get in the prom spirit. The decorations and the DJ are a big hit with the students, too.”
Kings High School staff also added their own personal touches. The day before, the girls received manicures. The day of prom, one classroom was transformed into a beauty boutique for the girls’ hair and make-up and another became a man cave, where the boys hung out and learned tips on the proper way to ask girls to dance.
“We have several students that due to physical, medical, behavioral or family support issues may not be able to attend a typical evening high school prom. This allows them an opportunity to experience a dance every year they are in high school with all the amenities of prom,” said Angela Zlatic, KHS intervention specialist. “They get to have fun in a safe environment with support staff to help with their individual needs.”
Titmas said organizing the event is the result of numerous volunteers.
“There were seven adults to assist with the planning details and 121 student volunteers that served in different capacities,” she said. “There were so many student volunteers that we had to take applications. The student volunteers served as ambassadors for the schools, paparazzi, decorations, catering, DJ, photo booth, hair and make up.”
Community members donated funds to help defray the costs, and students in LHS Life Skills classes raised money by selling items.
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