She said there were volunteers from most schools and Middletown Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr. and Middletown High School Principal Carmela Cotter attended.
Each attendee was crowned by a school representative or Berachah Pastor Jim Tinch, who played the part of the “Greatest Showman” from the movie, Ferrell said.
The prom will be an annual event, always scheduled the third Friday of March, she said.
“We want to continue to expand and grow,” she said. “Get the community involved to a greater degree.”
Area businesses and individuals donated about $5,000 by Friday and more was donated days after the prom, she said.
“We are so encouraged,” Ferrell said.
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She praised the efforts of local special needs educators and para-professionals who serve as student aids.
Ferrell was asked to describe the atmosphere inside the church: “There were smiles everywhere. No intimidation, no comparisons. I didn’t want the night to end if that tells you something.”
Ferrell said the event was successful because of the volunteers, especially Tina Shell from Valley View, who converted the church’s life center into a hair and nail salon; and Madison’s Karen Dawson, who turned the sanctuary into a circus.
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