U-46 will hold its first prom for special-needs students

Tuxedo rental: $150. Boutonierre: $10 Tickets for two: $50. The chance to attend a very special prom? Priceless.

Elgin Area School District U-46 today will hold its first prom for special-needs students at Bartlett Hills Golf Club. Both exceptional-needs and modified-learning program students from the district's five high schools will be in attendance.

"I'm excited to get to be independent, and see all of my friends," said David Luplow, an 18-year-old exceptional-needs student at South Elgin High School. For weeks, Luplow and his classmates have studied formal basics -- table manners, how to ask someone to dance and to accept or decline an invitation, said South Elgin exceptional-needs teacher Colleen Brady.

Students designed the table centerpieces and picked out a list of slow and fast songs to play. Tunes from High School Musical, Hannah Montana and the Village People topped the list. Last week, Brady's class, who consider themselves "hosts" of the dance, traveled to each of the different high school to invite others to come along.

"Our ticket sales really boomed after they came around and advertised the prom," Brady said.

About 120 students and parents are expected to be in attendance. Special-needs students have always been invited to take part in the various high schools' mainstream proms, South Elgin modified-learning program teacher Judy Williams said. "This is a little smaller, a little more comfortable. Parents have the chance to attend the event with their kids."

Bartlett florist Flowers by Christine gave the group a deal on table centerpieces, corsages and boutonnieres, Williams said.

Brady's son Mike will serve as the event photographer. Two South Elgin firefighters, Williams said, are serving as DJs.

"Everyone's pitched in to help," Williams said. "The kids are just out of their minds with joy."