Annual PossAbilities Prom Brings Smiles and Memories

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.