It was almost like any other high school prom. Young ladies in fine dresses and guys in sharp tuxedos showed up for an evening of celebration. Teachers and chaperones took pictures and raved about how great the students looked.
There was also dancing, with students shouting excitedly when a favorite song filled the room.
But the differences were noticeable at the 2004 Access Prom held at the headquarters of the Hudson Community Enterprises (HCE) in Jersey City on June 4.
HCE is a non-profit organization that has been in existence since 1957, consisting of programs that train those with special needs to be self-sufficient. Their kind of special needs individuals are those who are severely limited in their mental development, with many functioning at a first grade level or below. Some have not developed learning and verbal skills, such as memorization and expressing in words how they feel.
Parents or individual aides escorted the 73 students between the ages of 14 and 21 to the prom.
The students belong to the Access Program, one of three programs run by Hudson Community Enterprises for those young men and women. Ivy James, director of the Transition Series of the Access Program, was one of the organizers of the prom. James was there along with teaching staff working for Hudson Community Enterprises.
“By having a prom, it would help the students to be like everyone else,” said James. “This is also a nice way of capping off the school year.”
Prom night
Before the prom started, Ivy James was already getting teary as she saw the students that she came to love as her children.
“Oh my God, Mario! Is that you?” she said to a young man sharply dressed in his tuxedo. “I’m going to start to cry.” Cameras were flashing, capturing images of these young men and women who might not normally attend the proms of the respective high schools that they attend throughout Jersey City.
Many of the students’ parents or aides wanted to stay at the prom, but were encouraged to leave and reassured that there would be adequate supervision from the teachers. According to James, there’s another reason why the parents are asked not to stay for the evening.
“This event is an opportunity for the students to be independent, which is what they’re learning to become in class,” said James.
The students immediately ran up to their favorite teachers, hugging Miss Chalabi or Mr. M, or Miss Monica Planas, a teacher in the program.
“The children were so excited about this prom. They were practicing every day their table manners and they selected their own music,” said Planas.
The students weren’t the only ones excited. Mary Whipple-Edge came with her 21-year-old son, Jerome.
“I think it’s an awesome experience to see the students have this prom that most kids their age experience,” said Whipple-Edge. “And Jerome likes to party.”
The prom had been planned since March. Last year, students and faculty held a Hawaiian luau-themed party. This year they decided on a Mardi-Gras theme so the students could display the masks and other decorations they created.
Getting down on the dance floor
There was dancing first, and the students oohed and ahhed when Jay-Z or Sean Paul played. For some, it may have been the first time on a dance floor, while others looked like seasoned pros. There were a few who were shy and had to be encouraged by fellow students or teachers.
After an hour, there was a dinner with a New Orleans-style menu. The staff served the students their meals, during which there was a computer slide presentation of the students and teachers during a day in the classroom. Names were shouted, and applause broke out spontaneously.
While many of the students were experiencing a prom for the first time, it was also the first time for teacher Shihab Faiyaz, who came to help supervise, but hadn’t been to his own high school prom. He started working in the program three years ago with only a retail background.
“I believe that a small difference will lead to a big difference, and this prom is that small difference leading to a big one,” said Faiyaz, who brought his girlfriend to the prom.
There was a crowning of a prom king, who turned to be Jerome Whipple-Edge, and three queens. One student, Lorrie Punta, got so caught up in the festivities that she picked up a microphone and started humming.
By 9:15 p.m., the parents came to pick up their children, and the magical evening was over. James and other teachers complimented each student on being the life of the party, showing off great dance moves, or just taking part in their first prom.