One special night
Bethany Blitz Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 1 month AGO
BETHANY BLITZ/Press Mackenzie Mendenhall, left, and Aaron Gagnom bust some moves at the 13th annual Special Needs Recreation Prom on Saturday at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.
BETHANY BLITZ/Press Penny Butler gets her makeup done before the Special Needs Recreation prom on Saturday.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressEric Thomas, left, and his date, Jocelyn Baray pose for photos at Saturday’s Special Needs Recreation Prom. Thomas was most excited to dance to Destiny’s Child.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressRobert McRae, left, and Brittany Schneiter, right, dance the night away at the Special Needs Recreation Prom Saturday night.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressAnnette Johnson dances with Jon Klomp Saturday evening at the Special Needs Recreation Prom.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressBianca Ackley, left, and Jake Ragsdale, right, dance at Saturday night’s Special Needs Recreation Prom.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressMackenzie Mendenhall, left, and Aaron Gagnom, right, enjoy a dance at the 13th annual Special Needs Recreation Prom on Saturday.
BETHANY BLITZ/Press Sarah Grillo, left, and her date, Ryan Sullivan, right, walk down the “red carpet” to the Special Needs Recreation Prom on Saturday.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressRyan Sullivan, left, and Sarah Grillo, right, pose for their prom photo at Saturday night’s Special Needs Recreation Prom. Grillo said her favorite part of prom is dancing under the moonlight.
BETHANY BLITZ/PressAnnette Johnson dances with Jon Klomp Saturday evening at the Special Needs Recreation Prom.
POST FALLS — Carol Edstrom looked in the mirror Saturday and saw the beautiful woman she is. Her nails matched her red dress and her curled hair brushed the tops of her shoulders.
After getting pampered, she walked onto the runway with her date, Jason Nolte, and danced the night away at the Specialized Needs Recreation’s 13th annual prom at Real Life Ministries.
Edstrom’s care provider, Jennifer Ford, said this was the night Edstrom looked forward to the most each year.
“It’s amazing how happy a special night makes everyone feel,” Ford said. “They get to dress up and be kings and queens of the night.”
Though Edstrom wasn’t crowned queen at the prom, she and Nolte were crowned prince and princess.
Josh Tombarelli and Brianna Greil were also prince and princess and James Sane and Emily Colgrove were crowned king and queen.
Specialized Needs Recreation is a non-profit organization that offers recreational and social opportunities for people with special needs.
Every year, the organization holds a prom for its members because, SNR Executive Director Angie Goucher said, “a lot of times these guys don’t get to go to prom.”
“We see that gap and fill it,” she said. “We want them to be able to enjoy everything you and I take advantage of.”
Before prom even began Saturday, guys and gals were pampered. The men got shoe shines, hair trims and shaves and the women got their hair and makeup done.
Goucher said between those setting up decorations, providing food, doing hair and makeup and selling tickets, there were about 100 volunteers involved with the event.
Rebecca and Doug Vetsch, who go to Real Life Ministries where the prom was held, said they tried to volunteer for last year’s prom, but they weren’t needed because so many people had already signed up. Rebecca said they were sure to sign up early this year.
“We’re all God’s children equally and this is just wonderful,” Rebecca said.
As people filed in for the dance, they were greeted with applause and cheers, causing many to blush. The ballroom was decorated with snowflakes and blue fabrics.
Eric Thomas was so enthused at the prom he was literally jumping up and down with excitement.
“Oh my God, we’re at prom!” he exclaimed in the ticket line. “It’s crazy; I hope they play Destiny’s Child.”
On the dance floor, dance teachers, who have been giving classes on different types of dance, joined the crowded dance floor to lead some dances. People moved to the rhythms of the tango, waltz and the merengue as well as some more modern tunes.
“It was super fun, everybody had a really great time. It’s such a close community and we just all know each other and love each other,” Goucher said. “It was probably the best prom we’ve had, I think.”
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