The adapted prom for the 2024-2025 school year was on April 4th. The theme was “Under the Sea,” and attending students were invited to wear vivid-colored outfits to go with the ocean decor. 

“We picked a theme that stood out to [the special education students] that had a lot of bright colors and animals that popped out to them,” junior and buddy club member Kaycee Morgan said. “Having it be their teachers, officers, and a few others in the buddy club made it more calming for them.” 

Special education students are invited to attend the prom, but the adapted prom is calmer and less overwhelming for students with special needs. The music is softened and the room isn’t overcrowded.

“Some of the special education students could handle the regular prom, but some of them couldn’t in such a loud and crowded environment,” freshman and buddy club member Christina White states. “It was better for them to have their own environment.”

The adapted prom started in the 2023-2024 school year. The Buddy Club, ran by SPED teacher Ashley Pullen, plans it. They fundraised for the prom with raffle tickets and spirit glove sales earlier in the year. 

“We only have club meetings once a month, so pretty much every meeting we were talking about prom, voting on themes, and raising money,” Pullen said. “It takes a whole year to put it on.”

Even though the special education students all have different accommodations, they can still enjoy the “typical” high school experience with their friends at prom.

“I think it had a very positive impact [on the students], Pullen states. “I think it gives them the opportunity to do something that they don’t typically get to participate in, and it also gives them a different layer of school that they don’t usually have the chance to participate in.”