Special Education Prom brings smiles and fun to SLO County. Take a look
The Atascadero Lake Pavilion was buzzing with excitement Friday night as more than 100 individuals with special needs gathered with friends and family to dance the night away at San Luis Obispo County’s third annual Special Education Prom.
As participants of all ages entered the event, they each received a boutonniere or corsage and a silver or gold crown. Attendees were dressed to the nines, donning vibrant dresses, dapper suits or other favorite outfits.
Many participants immediately hit the dance floor, grooving to hits like “YMCA” and “Cha Cha Slide,” while others headed for the photo booth or grabbed snacks catered by Fatte’s Pizza.
The annual event was organized by Success Charities, the nonprofit arm of RE/MAX Success. More than 40 volunteers put their heads together to make this year’s prom possible.
“It takes a village,” Williams told The Tribune.
Special education prom provides safe space for celebration
It was attendee Le’a Kelley’s third time at the Special Education Prom. On Friday, she dazzled the crowd in a glittery red dress with a smile on her face as she walked onto the dance floor. She spent most of the night greeting friends and grooving to the music.
“Words can’t even express how amazing this is,” Le’a’s mother, Christine Kelley, told The Tribune. “This is just for our kids.”
Christine nodded to the accommodations taken into account when planning the event. Unlike some proms, the Special Education Prom doesn’t feature dark lighting or flashing strobes. Volunteers were stationed at all the doors and plenty of tables were set up for families who wanted to accompany their children to the event.
This year, organizers also added a quiet room for attendees who might need to catch a break from the noise.
“It’s just bright and fun, and all of her friends are right here,” Christine said. “They’re not lost in the shuffle, and it’s not overcrowded, and it’s just our speed.”
Jonas Hilton, another attendee at Friday’s prom, brought a photo strip from the previous year’s event that he’d been carrying around all day in anticipation of the dance.
“This is his favorite event of the year,” his father, Aaron, said. “He has limited opportunities to get out with a group of other people his age, and so this is just a really fun time. ... It’s just a really nice opportunity for these young adults to get together and have fun and not worry about their abilities or their lack of abilities.”
Susan Hall, a parent of another attendee, echoed much of what Hilton and Kelley said. After attending last year’s event, Hall said she was impressed by the inclusivity and attention to detail.
“It allows the kids to feel special and like they’re different, but in a good way,” Hall said of the prom. “They can embrace their differences, but in a positive environment that supports their needs.”
The Special Education Prom in SLO County originally started as an Eagle Scout project at Paso Robles High School, Williams told The Tribune. Since then, Success Charities took it on, and the event has grown bigger each year.
This year, the event provided prom dresses for participants who wanted them, as well as commemorative tote bags to remember the evening by. The Design School of Cosmetology in Paso Robles also provided hair and nail services for attendees, Williams said.
Williams and fellow volunteer Hilary Krohn said they love seeing the room fill with joy on the night of the prom.
“I just love seeing the smiles, not only on the kids faces, but on their parents’,” Williams said. “They love seeing their kids having fun.”
The evening is also a value to the community, Krohn added.
“It creates a safe space for people with special needs to go and be among their peers, people that they already know through their own intimate community, to be able to have their night to shine,” she said. “... This gives them a real sense of security, and I think that’s really, really super important for the community.”
This story was originally published January 26, 2026 at 3:10 PM.
