You may have read about the tux and dress giveaways organized by the Sacramento Public Library or the police officer who averted a shooting at a Wisconsin prom, but as the season has danced on, the prom headlines have grown even more inspiring and memorable. . . Here’s a roundup of nine prom tales we hope you fall in love with:
In Pennsylvania, a girl banned from prom for wearing a suit was invited to the dance in nearby district.
Anyia got to go to prom (was banned from her own) at William Penn. Way to be @theWPBearcat Principal! #tolerance pic.twitter.com/K0HFAWMRVT
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) May 23, 2016
In Florida, nursing home residents enjoyed their ‘senior’ prom, thanks to teen volunteers.
Students at TERRA Environmental Research Institute in Miami decorated the Palace Nursing and Rehab Center for the big day, and supplied flowers, corsages, and tiaras. They even brought along their school’s mascot to urge residents to get on the dance floor. (Watch the video here)
In Arkansas, Johnny Bolinger thought he was on an ordinary prom photography assignment.
In Cleveland, an NFL pro lineman accompanied a special needs teen to her prom.
For years, 17-year-old Elna Wright dreamed of going to her high school prom with her boyfriend and long-time friend. But after he passed away last fall, those dreams were dashed. After not being asked by anyone else, her parents put out a call on Facebook to see if any Cleveland Browns players would be willing to take her. Offensive lineman Cam Erving heard about the request and immediately said yes. (Watch the video above)
In Texas, a hospital organized a prom for their teen cancer patients.
In California, a high school near San Bernardino crowned a Muslim girl as prom queen.
Summit High School is just 15 miles from the site of last December’s San Bernardino terrorist attack, but students said they didn’t want to give in to fear. As a show of support for those in the Muslim community, the students voted Zarifeh Shalabi to their prom court in April. Surprised by the honor, Shalabi, who wears a hijab, was supported by her friends who wore hijabs in solidarity. (Read more at ABC 7)
In Columbus, Ohio, a stranger spent hundreds of dollars on a teen whose dream prom dress was stolen.
Tatiyuana Fair’s mother worked two jobs and extra shifts to pay for the $650 dress. After learning the dress was stolen on the local news, resident Anna Hicks stepped in to provide a new one saying, “I just remembered how special my prom dress was.” (Watch the NBC video above)
In Ohio, a teenager asked his mom to prom, since she was pregnant (with him) during her own.
When Melissa Roshan Potter was pregnant with her now 18-year-old son Trey, she was not only pregnant but transitioning out of foster care. (The mom and son spent the first two year’s of Trey’s life in a homeless shelter) Potter has since gone on to become a successful makeup artists and advocate for foster care youth. Trey decided to invite his mother as his date to the Gahanna, Ohio prom in recognition of all the sacrifices she made for him. (See more here)
This article is one in a series at The 74 which profiles the heroes, victories, success stories and random acts of kindness to be found at schools all across America. Read more of our recent inspiring profiles at The74million.org.