Special Article about the band playing at the county prom 2010!
http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/communications/comm_newsSL.php?id=714
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Special Prom Lights Up Joy In Students, Families
They brought their white sequined gloves and platformed shoes. They made disco come alive with their energized dancing.
Special needs students from the West End boogied like it was 2010 and then some as they enjoyed their annual prom on May 14 at the Goldy Lewis Community Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
A record 125 students took in an early supper and then danced to the tunes of California Jammin' as the theme to their prom was "Disco Fever."
"This is such a special event for these students, and it's a pleasure just to be part of it," said David Wilbert, a teacher in the West End Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), who also helped organize the event.
The prom is a joint effort between the West End SELPA and City of Rancho Cucamonga's Community Services Department.
Wilbert, along with Joe Duguay of the Community Services Department, organizes the entertainment, food and site each year, along with plenty of other community support like the cheerleaders from Los Osos High School, who serve the students dinner and take them out to the dance floor.
This year, the Silver Fox Ladies from Rancho Cucamonga and the Child Assistance Fund chipped in to provide financial support.
Annually, chef Erin McCaleb prepares the food for the students. And the band that Wilbert plays drums in, California Jammin', always plays the music. Band members Lynn Bernardo, Gerry Fulcher, Brian McCarthy and Steven Hagen put on quite a show.
It feels like a family event because so many of the students' parents, brothers and sisters also take part.
This year, Maggie Schwocerer was selected queen of the prom. The king was Alberto Gomez.
"Seeing the joy and excitement on the students' faces every year make the event really special for all of us," Wilbert said. "It's a great event to be part of."
