Special needs prom in Shoreline - a starry night for special kids

Special Dreams for Special Kids, a local non-profit that reaches children and families with special needs, is hosting their 3rd annual Starry Night Prom on Saturday, April 2. This year's event will be held at Shorewood High School, but special education students from Ballard, North Seattle, Shoreline, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace are invited. Over 60 students and 50 volunteers are expected this year.

For students and young adults with disabilities who might find the standard Prom difficult to attend because of the noise, the late hours and the lighting, this Prom offers a sensory-friendly atmosphere of fun for all. The highlight of the evening is the walk on the red carpet. This is their moment to be the King or Queen of Prom and strut their stuff.

Every kid gets red carpet treatment

Other highlights include a live DJ, a full buffet of snacks and beverages, tiaras and sashes, games, and a photo booth.

Here's what one parent, Jen Salvione, shared about the Prom:

Our son Nathan had the time of his life at the Starry Night Prom! It was such an amazing event. He was accompanied by two young adults who knew him well, so we, as his parents, were overjoyed that we could take pictures and "send him off" to prom without us (something we never dreamed of getting to experience)! Everything was so wonderfully planned and arranged to make every prom-goer feel like a king or queen! He loved every minute of it.

One of the high school volunteers from last year's event said,

We would rather go to this Prom than our own! It's much more fun and no pressure to have a date and all that.

Attendees from last year's Prom

In addition to Prom, Special Dreams hosts Respite Days to provide a break for parents and caregivers.

Organizer Michelle Tornetta says, "We believe in collaboration, so volunteers jumping in with the kids to experience the fun, is part of our plan. The joy spreads that way."