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Fallbrook High School holds first special education prom

The first prom for special education students at Fallbrook High School was held Friday, May 10, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The prom was planned to meet the needs of special education students and included a dance floor, a quiet place and a game area. The Crew – Creating Relationships with Every Warrior – Club was responsible for planning and staging the event.

Rachel Borg, a teacher and Crew Club adviser, said that class of 2019 had campaigned all year to encourage students to avoid using the term "retarded" or "the R word," and the Crew Club seniors wanted to leave a legacy by holding a special education prom, hoping to inspire future classes with the new tradition. Borg helped launch a prom for special education students 10 years ago while working in another county and said she was thrilled when the Crew Club President Faith Stehle approached her with the idea.

Approximately 150 students and family members attended prom, including students from Fallbrook and Vista. Fallbrook High School reached out to Heather Bernard, a special education teacher at Vista High School and invited their special education students to attend the prom as well. Between 30-40 students and family members from Vista High School attended.

Crew Club members were supported by local businesses and community members for donations to bring the prom to life. Fallbrook's Honorary Mayor and Ace Party Rental owner Lido Favela attended the prom and donated the tents, tables, chairs and DJ, while Major Market and Four Seasons Flowers donated flowers, Trupiano's donated food and Snaphappy Photo Booth attended and donated the photo booth. Crew Club members also sought dress and suit donations from the community.

The prom activities were designed to meet the needs of all students and allow all participants to feel comfortable, Borg said. Holly Hamilton, a special education educator at Fallbrook High, explained that in addition to a dance floor, the Crew Club members created a resting tent and a sensory tent. The resting tent was set away from the dance floor, and students were able to take breaks as they wished. The sensory tent included an area where students could feel different textures, as well as participate in games such as Jenga and corn hole.

As the Crew Club members shared their reasons for throwing this prom, their common theme was inclusion, Stehle said. Cazandra Sebastian, whose younger brother has special needs, was inspired by her brother and said she wanted to make him feel special in a comfortable environment. Like many other students, Jake McBroom was inspired by Stehle and stressed inclusion as inspiration for the event.

 

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