Students, persons with disabilities party at prom

About 100 students and persons with disabilities celebrated Mass, dined, danced, and laughed together at the 2nd Annual Special Hearts Prom at Blessed John Paul II High School on March 10.

The prom is sponsored by, “Voices That Care” Club, which consists of students from Blessed John Paul II High School. Sherry Davis, a teacher at the school, is the club’s sponsor.

“Voices That Care” invited persons with disabilities to the prom through the Catholic Charities office, Ministry and Life Enrichment for the Disabled. Each person is assigned a date and given a red rose corsage. A photographer takes photos of the couples, followed by dinner and a DJ dance.

The event was complete with the crowning of Prom King Joe Rico, Queen Monica Rodriguez, Prince Aaron Ruiz and Princess Eloisa Guerra.

Students who participate in the dance get required community service hours for their participation, but most of the kids, “do this out of the goodness of their heart,” Davis said.

“It’s a wonderful thing for my kids. They can see how special they are. The kids are pretty excited about it," Davis said

"Often students receive community service hours for participating in the dance, but many of the students have completed all of the required hours and just come for the fun," Celia Mendez with Catholic Charities said.

“In many ways these dances help young people come out of their shell and they become less inhibited. They can be themselves and it’s fun,” Mendez said.