Joy Prom: A Celebration For Those With Special Needs

4/21/2023

On April 15, WGHS hosted the community’s Joy Prom, a prom for special needs people 16 and older, to allow them to have a night of celebration and fun.
by Lauren Brandt

On April 15, WGHS hosted the community’s Joy Prom, a prom for special needs people 16 and older, to allow them to have a night of celebration and fun.

The night started off with the attendees being “escorted down the red carpet with a loud applause and celebration” according to Karis Griswell. Next, everyone enjoyed a dinner provided by the organizers. The girls were able to go downstairs and get their hair and makeup done, and the guys got their shoes shined.

Professional pictures were taken right before the guests headed out on the dance floor. Curtis Oden exclaimed, “You just gotta get up on the dance floor and dance!” The prom king and queen, Chris Ellison and Brittany Decker, were announced, and even more exciting news is that the prom king and queen got engaged! “It was the coolest experience and first time that there has ever been an engagement during Joy Prom,” according to Reagan Smith, whose family coordinates the dance.

Joy Prom is so important because of the impact it has on everyone. Smith told, “This is a night… where the participants feel so loved & special.” One of our special needs teachers, Mrs. Whitley, explained, “[The] special needs community are my people, and I feel like it is a celebration of them every year.” Megan Breyer, a fellow student who attended Joy Prom, continued, “...you have a special time and dance with people and just have a great time!” Volunteers, such as Emery Langston and Karis Griswell, agreed that “it was nice helping other people” and “seeing them happy and enjoying themselves makes it all worth while.”

This year, the dance’s theme was “Jungle!” Smith informed, “For set up we decorated the [cafeteria] tables with jungle themed decor.” She added, “...the hallway downstairs was filled with ‘vines’.” Along the red carpet, Langston revealed “there were animals, like giraffes and elephants.”

When asked about how Joy Prom makes him feel, Oden expressed, “It makes me happy.” Ty Trinkle encouraged, “Everyone should come and volunteer… it’s a lot of fun.” Keep an eye on the calendar for next Spring’s Joy Prom.