Special-needs Valentine’s Day Prom back with a splash
Students and staff from around the Manteca Unified School District gathered in Manteca High’s Winter Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, for the return of the special-needs Valentine’s Day Prom. The dance has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Alyssa Fuentes)
By GUADALUPE ENRIQUEZ &
RONNIE FUENTES
The Tower
On Friday, Feb. 10, Manteca High teacher Corrina Guerrero collaborated with teachers on campus and around the Manteca Unified School District to bring back the beloved Valentine’s Day Prom.
The dance for students with special needs and disabilities had been a Manteca High and district tradition for more than 20 years until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation.
It returned with a splash. This year’s theme was “Under the Sea” and the dance featured many of the staples of a traditional prom — decorations and dancing, socializing, as well as the voting and announcement of royalty.
“This dance gives our students an opportunity to have a special dance just for them. Each class also gets to nominate a King and Queen,” Guerrero said. “This is the most exciting part of the dance. Students are able to dance and socialize with friends from other schools.”
Students from Lathrop High, Sierra High, Weston Ranch High and other San Joaquin County schools attended the mid-day event held inside Winter Gymnasium.
Students and staff from around the Manteca Unified School District gathered in Manteca High’s Winter Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, for the return of the special-needs Valentine’s Day Prom. The dance has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Corinna Guerrero)
The planning process for the dance began in January with the help of students and staff in Guerrero’s class, Leadership, and Linda Clemensen’s class. There was also help from Adam Liel’s class, Denise Pasion’s class, and Anna Wooten’s class, as Guerrero drew on the support of the campus community.
Guerrero credited the staff for transforming the school’s boxy old gym into a deep ocean wonderland inspired by Disney’s “Little Mermaid.” Many gave up their time after school to help with decorations.
“Our MHS paraprofessionals, Mrs. Gause, Ms. Sharon, Ms. Carol, Ms. Kaitlyn, Mr. Daniel, Ms. Laurie and our former Ms. Shelly did an outstanding job helping with decorations,” Guerrero said. “They put in a lot of hours after school to make it special for our very special students.”
Guerrero also enlisted the help of the school’s Leadership classroom, under the supervision of advisor Stephanie Hjelmstad and ASB president Kaiyah Little.
The special-needs Valentine’s Day Prom returned after a brief hiatus on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Manteca High’s Winter Gym, and with it came the announcement of prom royalty. (Corinna Guerrero)
With almost two months of planning and despite Winterfest festivities, Little and her peers found a way to pitch in, whether it was designing posters or making contact with other staff.
Little called it a perfect match — the creative drive and energy in Guerrero’s class and that of her Leadership peers.
“I have had a great experience with Ms. Guerrero’s class,” Little said. “I try to stop in as much as I can to talk with the friends I have made. I also have built relationships with all staff in that class, and they are amazing and kind people. Working with them all as a class was an easy job with all their creative ideas.”
Little then added that it took a huge group effort to successfully execute this dance and gave her kudos to everyone who helped.
“It was a huge team effort with a bunch of kind staff and students from Manteca High,” Little said. “We were able to bring over a hundred students from other programs and high schools and around 40 adults and student helpers.”
Students and staff from around the Manteca Unified School District gathered in Manteca High’s Winter Gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, for the return of the special-needs Valentine’s Day Prom. The dance has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Corinna Guerrero)