Participating in something as simple as prom is bringing youth together and showing them it is OK to be unique.

“Even after the prom is over, the kids keep speaking to each other. They say ‘hey that was my prom date,’” Warren Central High School special education teacher Arlean Smith said, in reference to the Special Prom, which is held at the school.

This year, with a theme of “To the Moon and Back,” WCHS will be celebrating its 25th anniversary of Special Prom.

The event was started in 1991, when Coach Lucy Young and teachers Tillman Whitley, Kathy Rankin, Janice McKercher and Smith saw a need.

“We realized many of our students might never be able to attend a regular dance or prom due to lack of transportation, nighttime activities, cost and supervision needed, so we wanted to provide a fun-filled daytime prom experience with no expense involved. Another benefit of such an activity was giving our special needs students a chance to meet and interact with their peers that they did not have class with,” Young said.

Each year, gym B is transformed into a beautiful theme-related setting, Young said, and this year students have already begun to cutout stars and crescent moon shapes to use as decorations for the event that will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

“Special Prom has become one of the highlights of the school year for all involved,” Young said, and the event has even expanded to include students from Vicksburg High School and Jacob’s Ladder.

The event gets started with a lead out, where Young said each student and their escort are presented.

So far, more than 60 couples are signed up to participate in the lead out presentation.

“A guest performer provides the lead out song, and this year Mrs. Ruby Regan will sing a selection of songs as each couple is announced. Dance music is provided by student D.J.s from Warren Central Total Sound,” Young said.

Smith said she has always volunteered to help with the food for the Special Prom and is assisted by the Future Teachers of America Club, other Warren Central faculty and parents.

“I do the food and that’s a big deal. I want it to look high end,” Smith said.

In addition to helping prepare and set up the food tables, Smith is also in charge of providing a cake for the event.

“Mrs. Smith orders the cake, and it is decorated around the prom theme,” Young said.

Participant Patrice Brown said she looks forward to the cake Mrs. Smith brings every year.

“I like the cake,” Brown said.

Young said for the past three years the Elks Club of Vicksburg has made generous donations to purchase items needed for the prom and throughout the years, individuals have donated prom attire for students to borrow. The ROTC has also been generous to help with shoes if anyone needs a pair.

Brown said she already has her dress ready to go.

“It’s black and has feathers on it, and it sparkles,” she said.

Ariel Green, a senior at WCHS said it is the dancing that she likes best about Special Prom.

“When the kids are out there they dance like no one is watching.”

“I think every year, it (Special Prom) can’t get any better, but it does. It’s a blessing to work with Special Prom, and you just can’t beat that feeling, and the tears in the parent’s eyes, you just don’t want to miss it,” Smith said.

“It is truly heartwarming to see the enjoyment the students experience,” Young said.