There are lots of proms in Central Texas, but only one that combines five high schools, encourages parent participation and has more than a dozen sponsors.
For the fifth year, Shoemaker High School hosted the KISD Special Education Angel Prom Saturday, drawing more than 100 students together for a special evening of celebration.
This year’s Angel Prom featured a Candyland theme with colorful, tasty-looking decorations, a professional DJ and photographer, food provided by several restaurant sponsors and an army of volunteers.
Orchestrating it all, as always, was Letha Reeves, an aide at Shoemaker High School and a tireless community volunteer and advocate for special education.
Reeves took several minutes on the cafeteria stage to recognize the sponsors who ensure the success of the special event each year. She gave gifts and a personal thank you to each one.
Before drawing names for five sets of prom queens and kings representing each KISD high school, Reeves sat down long enough to enjoy a plate of donated food and to talk about the prom she loves and nurtures like a child.
She is quick to credit the many community partners, including the administration and many staff members at Shoemaker High School, along with service groups and peers throughout KISD who gladly take time to help set up, clean up and chaperone the event.
The Angel Prom started in 2018 and has continued annually except for 2020. Next year’s event is already in the planning stages.
“This year we have 13 sponsors,” Reeves said. “We’re able to provide a hot meal for our kids. I’m always grateful for my Shoemaker family.”
The school hosted a boutique this year to provide dresses, suits and shoes for students who needed formal attire for the event.
“Parents are always so appreciative,” she said. “This is an important event because our kids want to be at prom and they want to be themselves, have fun, and not be judged.”
“Parents are here, and everyone can just relax and have a good time.”
For the first hour or so, most students seemed content to sit at the tables, neatly decorated and covered with tablecloths. They ate and talked together and made trips to the Candyland photo backdrop.
As the DJ began playing familiar songs ranging from slow country ballads to pop party music, the dance floor swelled with snazzy-dressed teens moving and grooving.
Parents mostly stayed together at the back of the cafeteria but began moving up to watch their teenaged children get into the dance and shoot some photos and video.
Reeves took the stage for the second time and students and family members pressed forward to find out which students would be crowned king and queen.
“Everyone has a chance to be king or queen at our prom,” she said, beginning to draw a name from a container.
With each name drawn, students cheered for their friends.
After five pairs received crowns and sashes in their school’s colors, they posed for photos, then the music started up again and students moved to the beat, making more memories.
As the music echoed through the empty hallways, Reeves considered the evening, the annual gathering of so many of her friends and family, including a niece who makes the drive from the Dallas area each year to help her aunt.
“One of the dads here tonight told me, ‘I never expected to get to escort my daughter to prom.’ You made that happen,” she said.
Pausing to let the power of that statement sink in, Reeves said, “That’s why this is important. That’s why we do it.”
