Just about every high school senior looks forward to their prom night and it’s no different for Corona del Sol High School senior Meredith Rasmussen.
“Dancing!” exclaimed Rasmussen, with obvious excitement that prom is almost here.
Two years ago, Corona del Sol Softball coach Jayelee Dorris teamed up with Valley DJ KoKo to make prom happen for hundreds of special needs students across the Valley. They plan to make it happen again this year on May 11.
“It's amazing to see the joy and the happiness. They walk into the room and they see the stars and all these things and to us, it touches our hearts because we just see they are truly enjoying an experience they may not have gotten.” said Dorris.
Heritage Square in downtown Phoenix has already offered up its venue that will accommodate over 500 students.
“We have their caterer, the photographers, Platinum Ride Limos is donating rides around the square for our kids so they have the limo experience like a real prom," Dorris explained.
Cinderella Affaire donated dresses for the girls.
“Mine is red” said an excited Rasmussen.
While the girls' attire was taken care of, organizers were missing tuxedos for the boys.
“You need a tie, you need to get shoes, and a shirt.” said Corona del Sol High Senior Demon Robinson-Brown.
Robinson-Brown and fellow CDS senior student Wiki Chu are looking forward to prom. They can’t wait to be sharp-dressed men and already have their dance moves down.
Robinson-Brown told ABC15 he’s excited to dance to the Village People favorite, Y.M.C.A. Chu has his Gangnam Style dance down.
Now all they need is a few fairy godmothers--or godfathers--to donate 100-plus tuxedos, shirts, ties and suits.
“They don't all have to be a tux, a nice suit is perfect,” Dorris told ABC15. “10 tuxes for our boys here are being donated by Generation Tux and the Tempe Diablos charity is helping us gather some suits as well.”
The event is open to all special needs students currently in high school. Those outside of the Tempe Union High School District will need a chaperone. To RSVP or donate contact jdorris@tempeunion.org.
