by Kayla Sheldon on 2016-06-08

COLTON >> The Senior Prom is a very special milestone in a young student's life. In order to ensure that every single student has the opportunity to experience the memories and magic that a prom night consists of, Colton High School (CHS) holds an Annual PossAbilities Prom for their special needs students. Friday, May 20, marked the seventh annual prom put together for the PossAbilities students at CHS. According to Craig Martin, CHS teacher and organizer of the event, the Loma Linda University Medical Center (LLUMC) PossAbilities program gives the high school a grant of about $1,000 every year so they can put together a special prom night for their special needs students. The CHS staff fundraised the rest of the money, about $800, so it can be a free night of memorable fun for all students. "If someone needs a dress, a tie, a suit, whatever it is, we [CHS Staff] will donate it," he added. According to Martin, beauty school Salon Success Academy set up camp at CHS early that Friday morning ready to do students hair and makeup if needed. “They donated their time to make this a special day for our students,” Martin said. With a total of about 30 PossAbilities students and a total of about 75 students, the whole school day was filled with non-stop fun as the schedule of events included a limo ride around the school, a memorable walk down the red carpet with their General Ed dates as they entered the Hollywood-themed prom, and lunch catered to them by their fellow Yellowjackets. At the end of the magical night, two PossAbilities students were dubbed Prom King and Prom Queen. Ballots were given to all participants to vote. Once results were in, Mary Knight was announced Prom Queen and Luis Cardenas was announced Prom King. Although the underlying goal of the PossAbilities Prom is to organize a celebratory event for their special needs students, making it as prom-themed as possible, Martin explained they also hope to achieve a sense of unity among all students. “The intent is to put together these activities that will bring the special needs and General Ed students together,” he said. With the combined efforts of Martin, CHS Teacher and advisor for the PossAbilities Club on campus Angela Reynolds, and CHS Staff, they strive to organize events throughout the year that will bring the General Ed and Special Needs students together. [END] what it is: prom for special needs at Colton - all provided from staff- fundraising -staff all activities/entertainment - students we have: limo ride, lunch served, prom king/queen: try to make it as prom as possible - morning: everyone's dressed up, Salon Success Academy - donated time - hair and makeup - came in the morning. ALSO - General Ed students that attend the prom with special needs - ask if they wanna go to prom - attended prom with their special needs date. total of 75 students - majority of them were the dates Special needs students: about 30. (more severe disabilities) all students that volunteered - all had at least a 2.0 - okay'd by admin for them to do this (missing a day of school) 7th year that they've done it. each year have a new theme: HOLLYWOOD NIGHT his class - SDC-M/S Teacher. ----done through the PossAbilities - advisor is a general ed Angela Reynolds - pe teacher - advisor for possAbilities club - intent ot do activities special needs and general ed students - goal is to get them together Loma Linda PossAbilities - grant along with staff sponsorship got a grant from Loma Linda PossAbilities donation. annual grant they give you for the prom - half (about $1,000) then raise another $800 from staff through sponsorships. absolutely free for all students. volunteered form students if girls dont have dresses, etc. - staff donates it all. do events throughout the year - pictures: King: Luis Cardena Queen: Mary Knight ballots to all participants - direct vote - the seniors that are eligible for king and queen. On May 20 we will be having our Annual Possibilities Prom here at Colton High School from 8am-1pm. The PossAbility Prom is a special event that the staff here at CHS put on for our special needs students. Every effort is made to make this a memorable experience for our special needs students by providing: - A limo ride around the school - Prom themed decorations. - Red carpet entrance for our special needs students and general ed dates. - Catered lunch served by students here at CHS - DJ - PossAbility Prom King and Queen announcement during the prom. We hope that someone from Colton City News will be able to cover this special event. If you have questions please do not hesitate to call me. Thanks, Craig Martin SDC-M/S Teacher Colton High School (909) 486-5789 cell#