Sunday, May 24, 2015
By Denise Dick
STRUTHERS
The push to elect Sarah Williams Struthers High School prom queen wasn’t like most high-school prom campaigns.
It wasn’t a popularity contest or about outer beauty.
“We wanted to make you happy, to show you we all care about you,” senior Kara Thompson, 18, said.
“She’s always happy no matter what,” said senior Julie DeSalvo, 18.
“It was the least we could do to show our appreciation for Sarah,” said Noah Linnen, 18, and a senior.
Sarah, 19, was born with leukodystrophy, a rare genetic disorder affecting the central nervous system. It’s a progressive disorder. Bridgette Brumert, Sarah’s personal attendant, helps Sarah throughout the school day. The two have been together for 13 years.
She is confined to a wheelchair and has difficulty speaking, but she’s all smiles when she wears her crown and prom sash.
“It was fun,” she said of the big night, May 1.
Kara, who lives next to Sarah, organized the campaign, distributing purple pins that read “Vote for Sarah” to fellow seniors. Purple is Sarah’s favorite color.
She checked with Terri Williams, Sarah’s mother, before she organized the effort. Terri checked with Sarah.
“She said she wanted me to be prom queen,” Kara said.
The prom court was announced before the prom, and her classmates selected Kara, too.
“She’s just as nice as Sarah,” Julie said.
The announcement of prom king and queen came that night at the Struthers Fieldhouse.
“It was a little overwhelming,” Terri said. “I was very touched by it.”
As Sarah’s name was announced, people stood up row-by-row to cheer.
Terri cried – along with many others attending the announcement.
“I think I cried the most,” Julie said.
The motivation behind Sarah’s election is what Terri appreciates most.
“As a parent of a child with special needs, sometimes I wonder if attention given to Sarah is sympathy-driven,” she said. “But this honor was driven from the love this class has for Sarah. That love was not only seen, but felt from the students starting the standing ovation while she was introduced. Soon the entire fieldhouse was on their feet filled with love for her. This is an amazing graduating class, and I have no doubt that these kids will go on to do wonderful things.”
Sarah won the vote by a landslide.
“It wasn’t close,” Principal Roger Day said.
This isn’t the first time Kara coordinated something to help her friend.
In 2008, she organized a carnival to raise money for a supportive swing for Sarah.
“The goal was to raise $400,” Terri said. “They raised more than $3,000.”
Her classmates say Sarah inspires them.
“She’s always smiling,” Julie said. “Look at that smile.”
“Even after everything that she’d been through, she’s always happy,” Noah said.
“She doesn’t have self-pity,” Julie said.
The students’ effort didn’t surprise Day.
“These are really good kids,” he said. “They’re always doing for others. This was all student-driven. I’m really proud of them.”