So that every kid can have a prom

Special needs students enjoy a rite of passage

Kevin McKenna of Hanson couldn't keep the tears from his eyes as the region's first prom for special needs students materialized in front of him.

The tough, former Boston housing police officer dissolved with emotion as dozens of teens and young adults in crisp tuxedos, formal suits, and flowing gowns gathered Saturday in Pembroke under colorful foil stars and twinkling party lights to mark the age-old rite of passage.

"It's just overwhelming," said McKenna, of the Pembroke Knights of Columbus, who organized the event. As he spoke, prom-goers chatted, laughed, and lined up for formal photos with dates and friends. "I really think it's going to be an outstanding night."

For the 75 attendees, it was indeed outstanding. Students ranging from mid-teens to 20s came from the Cardinal Cushing Center in Hanover and other schools south of Boston. In the bustle of check-in, parents with cameras and Kleenex seemed overwhelmed at the obvious joy.

"I'm fighting back the Hallmark moment," said Cindy Lavigne, as she arrived with her son, Alex, 19, a student in the Whitman-Hanson schools. "It means just as much to him as it does to anyone else. I think I was more nervous than he was."

Alex smiled broadly as his date, Kaileigh Frost of East Bridgewater, floated across the parking lot in a shimmering floor-length formal.

He gave her a delicate wrist corsage that matched her brilliant blue dress. And, after slipping it on, and admiring her new French manicure, Frost, 18, was aglow.

"I'm a little excited," she said nervously. "Because there are a lot of people I know that I might talk to tonight. But, with my mom here, I think I'll be all right."

"We're all excited," added her mother, Kelly Frost, who followed at a slight distance.

McKenna, as the Grand Knight of the Pembroke K of C, and friend Paul Nichol, of the Hanson-Rockland Rotary Club, spent the past six months gathering donations and issuing invitations for the big event.

All teenagers - special needs or not - should have the same happy experiences, McKenna said. He and his wife, Hope, have three children, including a 13-year-old who has bipolar disorder and a 12-year-old who is autistic; the youngest, Colin, 9, is autistic, has Down syndrome, and is deaf, following a stroke at birth.

"The name 'Colin' means 'fighter,' " McKenna said. "And, already, he has touched many lives."

They organized the prom, Hope McKenna said, because "we just wanted to do something for the older kids."

At the first strains of The Monkees' "I'm a Believer," Nichol, of the Rotary Club, said, "If there's one thing I know, it's these kids are going to rock the house."

And they did - as a legion of volunteers buzzed about, ferrying food trays, passing out drinks, and greeting families at the door. They applauded the arrival of a stretch limo and the dozen or so exuberant teens who spilled out of it, yelling in recognition of one another and slapping high fives.

Sean Meagher, 22, was a self-appointed doorman, who greeted almost everyone who came in.

"Hi, I'm Sean," he offered, as he shook hands all around. "Do you know me?"

Complimented frequently on how handsome he looked, his confident response remained: "I know."

Organizers of the prom had little trouble getting help from local businesses and friends; as soon as they put out the word, offers began arriving. Longhorn Steakhouse agreed to donate all the food for the event, the Armstrong Brothers Band of Scituate appeared for free, and offers for flowers, cutlery, dishes, DJ services, and free tuxes and dresses poured in.

Whitman-Hanson high school senior Michelle Forbes, through her work with Becca's Closet, helped provide free prom gowns for many of the girls. The national nonprofit collects used formals and recycles them for teens who otherwise couldn't afford them.

"For them, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Forbes, who was on hand for the party. "How could I not help them out?"

Connie MacDonald, one of four volunteers who worked the front door and directed parents to a special dinner downstairs, offered the girls a little gift: "I thought maybe the girls would like an ankle bracelet," she said, indicating a basket of gauzy, pastel pouches she was handing out.

An army of other businesses, K of C councils, and parents offered everything from free alterations to table wear, linens, flowers, and key chains.

"We're dumbfounded," said K of C State Master Peter Giordano, as he observed the festivities. "I think this could grow. After all, our pet project is 'God's special children.' "

McKenna challenged other K of C councils to start their own special needs proms, so every child in the state can enjoy similar memories.

Saturday's prom had no king or queen. Instead, McKenna said, everyone should feel special.

"As long as I am on this earth, and a member of the Knights of Columbus, I will be doing this, for these kids," he said. "Because this is what we, as good Catholic men, are all about."

Michele Morgan Bolton can be reached at mmbolton1@verizon.net.

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