A Western-themed prom for young adults with special needs, called “A Hootenanny Shindig,” will feature a live band, line dance lessons, and snacks in the Hoynak Room April 12 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted by the Great Opportunities for Assistance and Leadership Special Education Assistance in collaboration with the Honky Tonk Club. 

“We get so many opportunities to do things like this, we have formals, and we have President’s Ball, and literally any weekend you can go to a party or something,” said junior Abriana Badalamenti, the program’s leader. “But these adults don’t have that opportunity. People don’t plan things like this for them often.” 

Anyone is welcome to come to the Hootenanny Shindig, and no experience is required to attend, according to Badalamenti.

“It’s really fun to dance with them and hit a balloon around and line dance,” Badalamenti said. “It’s just innocent, wholesome fun. They just radiate joy, and that is contagious.”

Dressier clothes are requested, and cowboy hats and boots are encouraged, according to Badalamenti. 

“They don’t often get opportunities to dress up, to get all dolled up and have an event to go to with their friends. A lot of them have boyfriends and girlfriends, and there aren’t a lot of opportunities for them to do something special together,” Badalamenti said. “So prom is a great opportunity for them to get dressed up, look all nice, and feel like they’re invited to something really special for them.”

The line dancing lessons will be simple. Part of the fun is doing line dancing when you have no idea what you’re doing, according to junior Amelia King, president of the Honky Tonk Club.

“Line dancing is really fun,” King said. “It’s different from something like swing, where you need a partner, or you might need some level of skill or dancing, versus line dancing, everyone can do it at the same time.”

Students should attend the Hootenanny for the music, dancing, and food, but more importantly to create a fun experience for those the event serves, according to King.

“Come line dance, because it’s an opportunity to do that, and also to hear live music, but also to get to be a part of something bigger and help bring some of these people joy at the same time as getting to do something that they love,” King said. 

The participants are always very excited to come to prom and to be on Hillsdale’s campus, and they love meeting and talking to Hillsdale students, according to junior Jesse Custer, who attended the prom last year. 

“You don’t have to have any experience with this population, you just have to know how to have a good time,” Custer said. “Just sing and dance and laugh.” 

Badalamenti said she has loved participating in bringing joy to the special needs community since she began volunteering with this program freshman year. 

“Every time I hang out with them, I leave feeling so joyful. It’s kind of like seeing a friend that you haven’t seen for a long time who’s really close to you,” Badalamenti said. “I just leave feeling like that was such an amazing, joyful experience.”