Students enjoyed a magical evening May 20
More than 150 BOCES students, alumni and current and former teachers spruced up and stepped out for a night of food, fun and dance at the 30th annual Very Special Prom, held this year on May 20 at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Albany.
This much-anticipated annual event originally began at the request of a number of students in BOCES special education classes hoping for a celebration they could call their own.
Today, the Very Special Prom is a true example of BOCES organization-wide collaboration.
A cache of gowns, suits and shoes — donated by staff and parents — help outfit students. Some outfits even come from the Real World Fashion Store, run by students in the Career & Technical School's Vocational Training & Transition program. Corsages and boutonnieres are crafted by students in Career & Tech's Floral Design program. Dozens and dozens of cookies are baked by Culinary Arts students, and up-dos and manicures are courtesy of Career & Tech Cosmetology students. A dedicated committee of current and former Special Education and CTE staff ensure that the party comes off without a hitch. In addition, cash and in-kind donations from BOCES staff, students and local businesses make the event one that is accessible and affordable to all.
Michelle Rosenberger, a BOCES Special Education alum and one of the
students whose suggestion helped start the prom tradition, spoke
happily of the prom as a way to reconnect with friends and teachers.
"There's really nothing else like it for these kids," said
Rosenberger.
Very Special Prom 2011 photos
Click on the image to see a larger size photo.
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