Waldron Learning Center students experience their own prom with a community effort

BRANCH COUNTY — Satin prom dresses, classy suits, and a DJ playing dance music filled the Waldron Learning Center gym Friday for the third annual school prom.

Special education teacher Hillary Raymond said, "Our prom is to promote inclusivity, to allow our students to experience prom just like every other high school student and celebrate each student."

In past years, limousines delivered some students, but students opted for a bus with chair lifts so students in wheelchairs could ride to the party.

With a cowboy theme picked last fall by students, the Branch Area Career Center education students helped decorate the space.

Raymond said these future educators attended the event, joining in the fun and dancing as peers with their friends who attend the Waldron Learning Center.

Staff and faculty dressed in western garb. Service dog Beef wore a rodeo rider on his back.

For the first half hour, parents and guests took pictures. Then students entered the gym under an arch of balloons to enjoy their prom experience like any other high school student.

Raymond said," We love this event and love that our students get to have a celebration. This is a celebration of their achievements where they can thrive and feel value."

There was a community effort to make the events memorable.

Good Better Best Store provided a grant for decorations.

Altrusa Prom Closet, local residents, and the Rainbow Connection donated attire for Waldron students.

For the girls, makeup artist Elizabeth Hither, Melinda Oxender from "Hair It Is" in Sturgis, and Southern Roots Salon and Spa owner Dani Green with stylists Amanda Farrar, Jenna Sigler, Haylee McClelland, and Sarah Hicks helped with hair and makeup.

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— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Waldron Learning Center students dress and dance for their own prom