YOUNGSTOWN As a date for the prom, who's better than mom?

The teen will attend the University of Dayton or Westminster College.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- She just bought her dress -- black, long and velvet.
And the shoes are silver, shiny and strappy.
But her prom was 28 years ago.
So Linda Poindexter has other plans.
Her son, Randall, is taking her to his prom.
The Wilson High School senior said the idea was that he and all his friends would take their mothers to the May 17 event at the Embassy.
"To be original, we could all take our mothers," he said, "And she never went to her prom."
All for it
While other moms hesitated, Linda thought it was a great idea.
"I thought, 'Why not?' I'll have some fun," she said.
Mom knows Randall's friends -- the boys have been together since fifth grade and play together on the Wilson basketball team. She also knows most of the kids in the school.
"I enjoy being with her," Randall said. "I'd rather be with her that night than anybody else.
"She has a good sense of humor. She's a beautiful person. I can tell her if I need something. I can talk to her if I need something. She's like another friend."
Linda Poindexter was widowed in 1996. It's clear family is important in her home.
On a recent Saturday, Randall's aunt jokes with him about college and prom as they watch basketball playoffs. The mantel is covered with the trophies won by Randall and his brothers Aaron, 13, and Raylin, 12. Family pictures show smaller versions of the sons.
One picture, framed near the fireplace, is of Linda holding Randall as an infant. Next to it is a penciled poem he wrote on a past Mother's Day.
The future electrical engineer works at KFC and is now deciding between college at the University of Dayton or Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. At either place, he'll play basketball.
The teen had plenty options for dates at school, but "none are really interesting," he said. And, "they can't get mad because I picked my mom."
Wasn't asked
Linda didn't get asked to her South High School prom. Her boyfriend was a "cheapskate" and didn't want to go. "I was really disappointed," she said. "I felt bad. All my friends were going, and I didn't go."
But this time, she's going, and she's happy with her date, who paid for the duo's $60 ticket.
"Randall's a good kid," she said.
"Randall's my hero, the love of my life, along with my other two."