For this Friday’s Oswego Night to Shine Special Needs Prom, Montgomery 18-year-old Karley Hanson has opted for a long, elegant black lace gown.
Although her gown choice is a sharp contrast to Hanson’s ensemble from last year when she chose to wear a short, fuchsia chiffon dress and coordinated her hair and corsage to match, her excitement is just as high.
Hanson was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at 7. She went to Seal South, a private school in Romeoville, but was heartbroken when she realized her school didn’t have a prom.
“My dream to attend a prom will never come true,” Hanson told her stepdad, Topher Tackman, after he found her crying.
The family reached out to Rebecca Christiansen, founder of Celebrate Differences, an Oswego nonprofit committed to creating a place for families of children with disabilities to be a part of a larger, accepting community.
Christiansen had always wanted to create a prom experience for special needs students and after talking to the Tackman family, she decided to put plans in place for the area’s first special needs prom, which was held in April 2015.
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At the first event, which was a partnership between Celebrate Differences and Big Life Community Church, about 65 prom-goers were in attendance, many coming from long distances.
“She has been through so much that she needed a prom that was held in a safe, non-threatening environment with kids who are supportive and have fun together,” Hanson’s mom, Maria Tackman, said.
Over 200 volunteers from local high schools and the community are ready to make this Friday’s prom an unforgettable night for over 100 special needs students expected to attend. It will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Oswego East High School.
Christiansen said the kids involved with Celebrate Differences have been talking about the prom since last October.
Over Valentine’s weekend over 200 churches in eight different countries will host a Night to Shine, a prom night experience for individuals with special needs age 16 and older, all sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.
In 2016, they are predicting 30,000 guests at the various events.
Every guest will be given the true VIP treatment, including a red carpet entrance with paparazzi, Christiansen said.
One of the key themes of the Night to Shine prom is to crown every attendee as a king and queen, she said.
In addition to limo rides around the parking lot, there will be professional photography, flowers, a buffet, dancing, music and karaoke, she added.
“We are going to be involved with this event as long as we can,” Tackman said. “Our friends and family who have been involved in Karley’s journey through the tough times and what she has endured, now can see a time in her life when she is shining and happy.”
For more information, visit www.specialprom.com.