The San Bernadino Orange Show took on a new appearance Friday night. School buses, stretch limos, and hundreds of smiling faces dressed in their finest evening attire filled the parking lots. The annual Inland Empire Best Buddies Prom was held on April 20th. The event featured a buffet sit down dinner, dancing, professional photography courtesy of Linda from Halverson's Photography and Jane Cason Photography, and Best Buddies participants from 12 schools in the region; Alta Loma High School, Arroyo Valley High School, Bloomington High School, Colton High School, Chaffey High School, Norte Vista High School, North High School, King High School, Santiago High School, Yucaipa High School, Cajon High School, and University of California Riverside.
"We had so many volunteers, but we couldn't have done it without the staff at the National Orange Show", said Heather Lozano, Best Buddies Advisor at Cajon High School, and longtime supporter of Best Buddies in the Inland Empire. Former Best Buddies chapter members helped make corsages and boutonnieres for the boys and girls attended the event, donated prom dresses and formal attire, and arranged for the students from Marinello's Beauty School to come provide hair and makeup services free of charge to the Buddies (Best Buddies participants with disabilities) that wanted them. "It was such a beautiful event", Heather said. "So much love and laughter".
Hundreds of students came together that night for an evening of dancing, inclusion, and most importantly, friendship. Many of the Peer Buddies (Best Buddies participants without disabilities) attending the prom for the first time remarked that this prom was more fun and inspiring than any other Prom they had ever attended.
To learn more about upcoming Best Buddies Proms in Southern California, please contact JessicaFoults@BestBuddies.org, or visit us on facebook, www.facebook.com/BestBuddiesCalifornia
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