This year’s annual Grand Ball, a prom created for students with disabilities, is themed “There’s No Place Like Home.’’ The event will be held this Saturday in the cafeteria at 6 p.m.

The Circle of Friends is an organization formed over 19 years ago to help the general education population here to participate with and include students with certain disabilities to become an integral part of the high school population.

Social studies teacher Bonnie Alexander has been a part of the Circle of Friends and has attended the Grand Ball since it started. She and another former teacher started the program many years ago.

Alexander said that the Grand Ball is one of the most popular events for the club and is one of the biggest celebrations in the district that originated here.

Senior Erika Benitez has been a part of Circle of Friends since her freshman year.

“Coming into high school, I always said that I would try every club at least once,” Benitez said. “When I joined Circle of Friends, I just fell in love with it.”

The Grand Ball, with its celebration of students, has impacted lives. Benitez said that a lot of students take a healthy body for granted, and that’s why the Grand Ball has made a difference.

“I definitely recommend students to join,” Benitez said. “It’s a lot of fun, the kids are amazing, and you get to meet a lot of new people. It really changes your perspective on how you see things.”

To be a part of Circle of Friends or the Grand Ball, contact principal’s secretary Kay Sutton.