Joy Prom returns to The W
Mississippi University for Women will continue its partnership with Mt. Vernon Church this year to bring Joy Prom back to campus, Saturday, March 16.
“This event creates a dedicated night of fun and excitement to celebrate and honor such an exceptional population in our community. In return, it gives our high schoolers an experience with the special needs community that ultimately helps breaks stigmas, lessens anxiety in how to interact with individuals who experience the world differently than them and evens the playing field for a magical few hours It has become an event that is looked forward to by anyone that has been involved,” said Maris Braddock, skills and simulation lab coordinator for the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and one of the coordinators of the event.
The W’s Campus Recreation Department facilitates the partnership for the event.
Joy Prom, which was first hosted on The W’s campus last year, is a full-scale prom for special needs individuals. The event is designed for ages 13 and older with developmental and/or physical impairments. The theme of this year’s prom is Mardi Gras.
The guests are matched with high school volunteers or W nursing students. Athletics and Student Life will be the “limo drivers”, door greeters and transfer assistants, which help guests in and out of cars, golf carts and such.
Guests and their escorts will begin arriving at 4:30 p.m. where they will be paired and photographed. Golf carts will transport them to Pohl Gym where the “red carpet” event begins at 5 p.m. Braddock said that even though the community members cannot attend the prom, they are encouraged to attend the red carpet event to cheer on the attendees.
The prom itself begins at 6 p.m. and will feature a DJ and refreshments. All of the food and water were donated for the event.