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Preparing for prom
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Jordan Welliver and Gaige Figinsky, juniors at Summit Academy High School for Autism, are among 30 students who participated Monday in a sort of prom dress rehearsal in the downtown YMCA auditorium. The prom for the whole school is next month at a banquet hall. The idea was to help the young people to be comfortable enough to try the full-school event.
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Tia Harris donned a bright green ball gown, shimmering eye shadow and a flower in her hair for the big day.
“I’m excited,” she said.
Tia, 16, a sophomore at Summit Academy High School for Autism, was one of about 30 students from the school who participated Monday in a sort of prom dress rehearsal. April is Autism Awareness Month.
The prom for the whole school is next month at a banquet hall.
Monday’s event was just for those in the autism unit who may have autism, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Tia was looking most forward to the dancing.
Michelle Walsh, language-arts teacher at the school, said this marks the first year the school offered the pre-prom.
“We wanted them to expe-rience it in a safe environment, with just people they know,” she said.
That might allow students to be comfortable enough to try the full-school event next month.
Hairstylists from Concepts Spa and Salon in Boardman and makeup artists helped the girls get ready, and The Village of Evangel Baptist Church decorated the auditorium at the downtown YMCA, donated dresses to the girls and paid for catering from Chrystal’s. Diva Donations, The Welliver Family, C&C Ribbon, Michelle Wilson, Jessica Yankush and Jeff Chrystal of Chrystal Catering and the downtown YMCA also donated to the event.
“The girls can keep the dresses,” Walsh said.
Other students opted to get dressed at home.
The girls arrived in sparkles, taffeta and lace, their hair in elaborate updos. The boys wore suits, shirts and ties and hats.
Posters on a classroom wall instructed students about behavior that is expected: Look and smell nice, introduce yourself, eat lightly; and unexpected: overdoing cologne, playing with toys, games or phone; making fun of someone or sitting alone at a table or buffet.
Elijah Bombardieri, 15, who is in ninth grade, went for a gangster look for the pre-prom, complete with a fedora and a bright red tie.
He was kind of indifferent in talking about the festivities.
“If it gets me out of work, I’m OK with it,” he said.
Elijah said he was most looking forward to the free food.
Eighth-grader Tyrice Ellis, 14, sporting a new hairstyle and a lavender shirt, was looking forward to the event.
“I’m not going to dance. I don’t like dancing,” he said. “I’m just going to hang out with my friends and talk to some females and hope everyone has a great time at the prom.”
Upon his arrival, Tyrice took a seat next to the DJ, offering his counsel on the acceptable volume for the tunes.