Clarkston High School seniors weren’t the only ones celebrating prom, Thursday, May 22.
Students from Lahser Pre-Vocational Center in Clarkston, a day program for severely and profoundly handicapped adults, enjoyed their own prom festivities.
The men were in their suits and ties, the women in their fanciest dresses, while the DJ spun the tunes.
The prom was the idea of Cheri Patch, program supervisor with Lahser. Driving along one day, she said she saw a young guy and girl, dressed to the nines, getting into a limo.
‘Oh, they must be going to the prom,? she thought to herself — which led to, ‘Oh, I never had a prom,? which led to, ‘I don’t want (Lahser students) to never have a prom.? And it just evolved from there.
The event was as authentic as could be, Patch said, with souvenirs for the guests to formal wear to a king and queen as well as a prince and princess and second runner up, who were granted crowns, tiaras and prizes, made possible through donations by local businesses.
Patch plans to make the prom an annual event and promises next year’s will be bigger and better.
Lahser would like to thank the sponsors of the 2003 prom including Kroger, California Bagel, Hungry Howie’s, Clarkston Pool, Farmer Jack, Las Piramides, Caesarland, Steve’s Auto, Contractor Gary Commins, Bridge Lake Auto, Professional Asset Mortgage Co., Bonnie’s Hallmark, Waterford Hill Florist, Dairy Queen, Boston Market, Sam’s Club, Custard Corner, Westland Greenhouse, Klever Kreations, Bren Mar Construction, Holly Lanes, Fenton McDonald, L&D Crafts, Friendly Dollar Store, Pleasure Landscape, Food Castle, L&R Electric, Lisa Sydow of Active Medical, Sandy of Groveland, Detroit Pencil Company, Jammin? Jerry, and Bill Johnson of Lahser.
Lahser Pre-Vocational Center focuses on community inclusion for its students and offers a variety of field trips, group socials, arts and crafts, classes like music appreciation, programs like exercise, and much more.
There are three Lahser locations. The first opened in Troy in 1979, followed by a Davisburg location in 1981 and finally the Clarkston location in 1992.
Currently the Clarkston location has 43 students. (Davisburg has 66 and Troy 42.)
Students range in age to 26, following graduation, (Michigan special education goes through age 25) to 74, the current eldest member.