Every spring, staffers and teachers ensure that anyone who wants to attend prom at the West Windsor school does so.
By Melissa Reed
For The Times of Trenton
WEST WINDSOR -- The first dress Shamira Pearson tried on was shimmery and silver and came with a matching cardigan.
Next up was a purple gown with sequined straps. Then she donned a two-piece, pale blue ensemble with an embroidered top.
"Now it's time to decide," daily living skills teacher Debra Feerrar told Pearson, one of her students at Mercer High School.
Pearson walked slowly next to a table in a classroom, where the three dresses were laid out. She pointed to the silver number.
"Whoa, say yes to the dress!" teacher Karen Ball exclaimed with applause.
Every spring, staffers and teachers ensure that anyone who wants to attend prom at the West Windsor school does so, whether it's in the form of a free dress, or a complimentary fitting.
The school serves those with autism and students with behavioral, severe cognitive and other disabilities between the ages of 14 and 21.
Throughout the school year, Mercer collects gowns, formal and cocktail dresses in any size, many passed down from girls who have already been to proms, weddings, or ballroom dances.
Some donated dresses have been worn only once and some are brand new.
Then, teacher, staffers and community volunteers make custom alterations to fit them to the student.
The teachers-turned-tailors say it can be tough for students with physical disabilities to find formal wear.
For example, Pearson has scoliosis, or curvature of the spine. The challenge is making sure the dress fits perfectly, Feerrar said.
"The students get to make a choice, and we want them to feel pretty," Feerrar said.
Feerrar has been altering for the school's prom for 10 years.
"We accept donated gowns from everywhere," she said. "People have been so generous, and we now have three big racks of dresses."
"I had a staff member bring four or five dresses to the school," Feerrar said. The daughter had been in a bunch of weddings, and has only worn each dress once, she said.
Not only do the dresses make students like Pearson feel comfortable and happy, staffer say, the school is given total control on how to decorate the banquet hall at the Mercer Oaks golf club nearby.
"The students enjoy the prom at Mercer Oaks," said Principal Brian Kozaskowski. "The prom actually feels very special for the students because we go somewhere off site and it's a real banquet hall. It's fancy for a lot of our students."
Approximately 100 of the school's 300 students attend the prom each year, according to Kozaskowski.
The school, like many high schools, has an annual prom theme and this year's was based on the Lion King, which was the school's musical.
"The prom has a great turnout," Kozaskowski said. "With the help of my staff members, and the reasonably priced place, we get to see our students enjoy their prom."
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