What a day, girls started getting their hair done and putting on their dresses long before the grand march was to begin. They were so excited, parents were excited, the anticipation was huge. The Pine City VFW was decorated with lights and garland. The music was going and the food was cooking. After months of preparations, they were ready.

The COFers (Circle of Friends volunteers and participants) started arriving around 5:30 p.m. The teens never looked so beautiful. They had 87 teens attend prom, 47 parents that came to watch the grand march and 36 volunteers that helped make the prom a success.

The teens attending the prom came from Forest Lake, Chisago Lakes, Wyoming, Stacy, Taylors Falls, North Branch, Rush City, Pine City, Mora, Hinckley and Ogilvie. Everyone got along so well and it didnít matter if you knew each other or not. Everyone danced together and mingled so well.

Why a formal prom for special needs teens? Why not? Each year Circle of Friends has a year-end theme party to say good-bye to graduating seniors. Many of the special needs teens donít attend their school prom. When the Pine City prom committee said they would donate their prom decorations, they had a theme. Donated dresses started pouring in from all over. They would like to thank everyone who helped decorate, do hair, donated a door prize, cleaned, provided music, transported teens, gave flowers, altered dresses, and took pictures. Thanks from all the teens with special needs and teen volunteer mentors.

Circle of Friends is a free program through Family Pathways for teens with special needs in grades 9-12. Call 1-877-321-7100 for information and an events calendar. Teens can join at anytime during the year.

Comment from Marsha J Carlson, 7/24/06

What a great idea! Our daughter has special needs, but was fortunate to have several wonderful friends who took her along with them to the dinner and prom in Sidney, NE. It was quite a bevy of beauties as they all came up to our door to collect
LeeAnne.

Marsha Carlson
Kearney, NE