LEC Volunteers Participate in Winter Wonderland Special Needs Prom
Lake Erie College students, faculty and staff participated in the heart-warming event, "Winter Wonderland" on Feb. 9 at Painesville Baptist Church. This is the 7th year that the church has organized a special needs prom, (previously connected with "Night to Shine" by the Tim Tebow Foundation}. This year, the committee, led by Pastor Stoney Drain, decided to do their own prom, but with the same amazing experience including the red carpet for guests, prom-like décor, hair and make-up compliments of Jennifer and Co., photo booth, refreshments, karaoke, limo rides, and of course, a DJ playing fun dance tunes. Additionally, special activities were designed to provide guests a space to get away from the noise and busy environment to a sensory room with lava lamps and a relaxing environment or to engage with Disney Princesses from Second Star to the Right.
LEC’s own Dr. Katie Davis organized over 100 students, faculty, staff, and community volunteers (including Miracle League special needs baseball volunteers) to participate in the evening’s festivities. The committee expressed its heartfelt thanks to her for giving her time and expertise to make the night memorable for all the prom attendees. Dr. Davis is a wonderful example of LEC’s mission and values in action – empowering students to lead lives of personal significance as global citizens guided by hope and care.
"The evening was just magical for everyone. While our guests enjoyed themselves on the dance floor with their buddies, their parents and caretakers had the opportunity to relax in our respite rooms, all the while able to see their loved one on the dance floor via the live video feed shown on multiple screens around the room. It was a chance for volunteers to give back to the community and help make it a night to remember for these kings and queens!"
A big thank you to our caring and compassionate LEC participants:
Jasmine Gonzales, Vanessa Majewski, Abby Raphael, Anna Lewis, Diamond Jackson, Brenna Walker, Eleanor Ramos, Allison Courtright, Ainsley MacKenzie, Sarah Kauffman, Grace Hall, Francesca Fabe, Madison Amburgey, Sarah Leyden, Jordyn Long, Rachel Fender, Ava Scott, Peyton Powers, Rachel Varga, Emma Spahr, Chloe Biddinger, Maddie Jester, Aubri Campbell, Amber Thomas, Ruby Norman, Cassandra Garcia, Lilli Campbell, Kim Lorenz, Adrianna Sluga, Hailey Asciutto, Baeleigh Burwell, Megan Miller, Brynn Gillen, Jordyn Hawkins, Lilly Hansson, Morgan Vanmeter, Ava Finfrock, Casey Kelly, MacKenna Ryan, Ellie Wieland, Hannah Fairbanks, Dakota Blankenship, Bridget Mullholand, Emily Ngo, Leonie Witt, Jillian Fisher, Antonia Franovic, Caley Biddinger, Leyna McCarty, Pauline Passarge, Carlie McVey, Kevin Bogdanski, Kadyn Hurley, Tyler Formica
For further information about Lake Erie College’s School of Arts, Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences visit; https://www.lec.edu/school-of-education/