Special-needs students dance all night

It was the eighth year for the prom.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
RESSED TO THE NINES IN A periwinkle gown, hair in an elaborate up-do, Brianna Sims was all smiles.
The Rayen School student, 14, was one of about 200 students from Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties to attend the prom for special-needs students Tuesday at Antone's Banquet Center.
Students in gowns and tuxedos piled out of buses and cars, some came in limousines to Mardi Gras 2005, this year's theme. It marked the eighth year for the event.
Brianna shyly bows her head when asked about the length of time it took her to get ready. She insists, though, that it wasn't long.
Mary Ruthrauff, who teaches the orthopedic handicapped class in which Brianna is enrolled, said Brianna initially was reluctant to attend.
"She kept saying, 'I'm not going, I'm not going,' and then yesterday she said she wanted to go," Ruthrauff said.
The perfect outfit
Teachers, aides and others from the program pitch in to find clothes and accessories for the students who want to attend but may not have the right outfit.
"We brought in some dresses and the one Brianna tried on fit her to a T," the teacher said, indicating Brianna's periwinkle gown.
Ruthrauff said the students look forward to the prom days in advance.
"I had a heck of a time today getting anything done in class," she said. "Everyone kept asking, 'What time are we going?'"
Judy Byrd said her son, Daynen Bevly, 18, and also a Rayen student, has been excited about the prom for weeks.
"He loves to dance," she said.
Byrd didn't even get to snap all of the pictures of her son that she wanted because he rushed to the dance floor.
"Michael Jackson came on and he was gone," she said.
Ruthrauff said Daynen is her best dancer. Eight of her students attended the prom.
Organizers
Stefania Bauman organized the prom along with Amy Shirey. Both are Canfield High School teachers of students with mental or cognitive disabilities.
"For some of these students, it's the only prom they'll probably go to," Bauman said. "For those who will go to their school's regular prom, this will give them a practice."
The prom was for high school students who are up to age 21. The Lynch Center for Youth Development, Youngstown, was the event's primary sponsor.
The late Terry Lynch drove a school bus for special-needs children from 1972 to 1978. His family sponsored the event as thanks for the influence the children and families he met had on his life, according to a prom program.