Parents of U-46 special education graduates organize alumni prom

For the second straight year, parents of special education graduates from Elgin Area School District U-46 are taking matters into their own hands.

While their children are trying to transition into the adult world — including finding jobs, managing their time and looking for social outlets — the one program from their school years that they desperately want to hold on to is their prom.

Yet, last year, officials with the South Elgin Special Education transition program decided to limit their annual Spring Fling to current students, similar to other events and activities at U-46 schools. That left the young adults in the transition program looking for alternatives.

Enter a group of their mothers, who were determined to make sure they had their big night.

“They just love, love, love going to prom,” says Kim Herrera of South Elgin, whose 28-year-old daughter, Natalie, has Down syndrome. “They love the dancing, getting their hair done, wearing fancy dresses. Some even rented limos last year.”

Herrera got the ball rolling last year, recruiting other parents to help.

“Faced with their disappointment, we put on our own prom,” says Herrera, who worked with fellow parents Karen O'Connor of South Elgin and MaryBeth Temesvary of Bartlett to pull it off.

For their first-time effort, they drew more than 75 guests, including young people and their chaperones or parents. They all came from communities that feed into U-46 schools, including Bartlett, Elgin, Hanover Park, South Elgin and Streamwood.

This year's event takes place May 18 at Villa Olivia in Bartlett. Organizers have planned the prom around a “Dance Around the World” theme, complete with photos of international destinations on each table and colorful decorations throughout the room.

They even have a disc jockey ready to rock the party, whose assistant has Down syndrome. The evening will also include a photo booth, giving each couple the chance to have their portrait taken as a keepsake of the big night.

One of the elements that separates this prom from one hosted by the school district is that there are no chaperones, meaning that each attending guest — or cluster of guests — will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the entire duration of the event.

Parents and guardians will not have to sit with their children at the prom, however.

“We sit at tables in the back and we have just as much fun,” Herrera says. “All alumni sit independently with friends. It's their day.”

Herrera's daughter, Natalie, looks forward to the prom all year, her mother says. Since graduating from South Elgin High School, she has found a job at a nearby Walgreens store and attends the transition program in Batavia.

“She started talking about the prom months ago,” Kim Herrera says. “I'd hate for her to miss out.”

Tickets remain available for the prom until Saturday, May 11. Email Kim Herrera at kimiam316@aol.com with special dietary requests and seating, or call (847) 809-9123.

Prom for graduates of District U-46's special education transitions program

<b>When:</b> 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 18

<b.Where:</b> Villa Olivia, 1401 W. Lake St., Bartlett

<b>Cost:</b> $45 per person

<b>Details and registration:</b> <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-transition-alumni-prom-tickets-54998870101">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-transition-alumni-prom-tickets-54998870101</a>