The 6th Annual Night to Remember prom in Aransas Pass offers special needs students a chance to celebrate safely, forming community bonds and inclusion.
ARANSAS PASS, Texas — The 6th Annual Night to Remember is giving special needs students a chance to experience prom in Aransas Pass.
Joann Johnson’s daughter, Caitlyn, has attended the prom since it started in 2019. She said the event is something they look forward to every year.
“She doesn’t have the opportunities that most kids have, and the schools tend to shy away from them going to prom and stuff. And this is a safe environment for them to come and be themselves,” Joann said.
Donald Volz, pastor at Crossroads Church, hosts the annual prom. The church teamed up with special education professionals to make it a night the students won’t forget.
“Their expertise is invaluable because we sometimes have kids on the spectrum, and we don’t want them to get triggered by lights or maybe the music’s too loud or whatever. That’s where it’s essential we have their involvement to make sure we do this right,” Volz said.
Games, food, a packed dance floor — even a sensory room. Johnson said she’s grateful the event makes everyone feel included.
“It’s hard for them to focus, and they get agitated and just want to act out. Whenever that happens, you take them away from the music to a calm place to let them calm down so they can come back and have fun again,” Joann said.
And it’s not just for teens. Johnson said the event has also helped her connect with other parents in the special needs community.
“No one actually knows what you go through, but someone’s going through it themselves. Whenever you have that kind of support with other people, it’s just an amazing feeling to know you have a friend,” Joann said.
Volz said this could be their biggest prom yet.
“Your challenges sometimes may not allow you to participate on a level as someone who doesn’t have those same challenges, but I think the beautiful thing about this is that they all feel they fit in. They all feel comfortable. These are their peers. These are their friends,” Volz said.