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Information heading bulletVery Special Prom 2008

Special Ed students and grads shine at this year's event

More than 150 Capital Region BOCES special education students, alumni and their guests spruced up and stepped out for a night of food, fun and dance at this year's Very Special Prom, held on May 9 at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel in Albany. The prom is a much anticipated annual event that was begun 27 years ago at the request of a number of special education students hoping for a celebration they could call their own.

The prom, which has grown from a homespun school-based dance to something more akin to other high school proms, is a true example of BOCES division-wide collaboration. A cache of donated formalwear—gowns, suits and shoes—help outfit students. Corsages and boutonnières are crafted by students in the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) school floral design program. Dozens and dozens of cookies are baked by culinary students. And up-dos and manicures are courtesy of CTE cosmetology students. In addition, cash and in-kind donations from BOCES staff, students, and local businesses make the event one that is accessible and affordable to all.

The Very Special Prom is also an event that allows students to shine.

Michelle Rosenberger, a BOCES special education alum and one of the students whose suggestion helped start the prom tradition, spoke happily of the prom as a way to reconnect with friends and teachers.

"There's really nothing else like it for the special ed kids," says Rosenberger.
 

Here is a look at this year's festivities:

Photo of students at Very Special Prom                Photo of students at Very Special Prom

 

 

Photo of student at Very Special Prom  Photo of students at Very Special Prom  Photo of students at Very Special Prom

 

 

              Photo of Special Ed graduate at Very Special Prom                Photo of Special Ed graduates at Very Special Prom