The special education Grand Ball will be taking place on Saturday, May 3. The proms’ purpose is to provide an inclusive experience for special needs students who originally wouldn’t be able to experience prom. It will be taking place in the cafeteria stage.

The theme for this year’s Grand Ball is “D’Lightful Nights,” resembling an elegant city landscape. Teachers are hoping for it to bring their classes together into a strong community.

“It just means so much for not only our kids, but their families and the community as well,” special education teacher Barbra Garza said. “We have some students that have graduated, like 10, five [and about] 12 years [ago] already and they still come to the Grand Ball. It means a lot and at least for our students here, it’s a night to feel included in things [and] a night for them to get the experiences a typical teenager would.”

The local community has been helping with preparations for the prom by assisting in building the set for Grand Ball and donating money. Assistant principal Bailey Keller is organizing workshop days for the whole school to work on it together. 

“This is something everybody knows [that’s] going on in LISD,” special education teacher Grace Foust said. “Everybody knows the Grand Ball, so I know the community is huge. People were like, ‘Hey, how can I help? What can I do? Can I donate?’”

The advisor’s overall goal is to provide an experience that students can cherish forever.

“I went to a warehouse to get my suit,” senior Ka’Trevion Alexander said. “I tried one on, they measured me [and] they had me pick out my red tie. I have a date and it makes me feel great.”

Ultimately, the special education teachers want their students to have a night they can remember forever.

“These are for our kids that we love,” Garza said. “And every child deserves to have a special moment like this.”