Reaching Out To High School Seniors With Disabilities: And The Winners Are...

March 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Culminating its annual effort to encourage successful transition to adulthood and build awareness of issues facing young people with disabilities, TLC Mobility Foundation today announced the names of the two talented high school seniors who emerged as winners of the PROMability Class of 2013 contest.

From a field of inspiring, creative, and moving entries the panel of judges narrowed the winners down to Janessa Sanctious of South Plantation High School in Plantation, FL, and Danielle Schops of West Boca Raton Community High School, Boca Raton.

A “Blue Carpet” Celebration to Recognize Ability

The PROMability prize winners will be honored at a “Blue Carpet Celebration” on Monday, April 22 from 6 to 9 p.m., at Palm Beach State College Boca Raton campus at the Countess de Hoernle Humanities & Technology building. The celebration will be co-hosted by Palm Beach State College and the TLC Mobility Foundation.

PROMability winner Danielle Schops said, “I’m proud about myself. I am excited for my future.”

“By turning the spotlight on these teens through creative expression, we firmly believe that a positive move is made towards improving self-esteem by de-emphasizing disability and recognizing ability, while they in turn learn to appreciate that spark for learning and identifying their unique strengths”, said Lisa Hamilton Johnson, President of TLC Mobility.

TLC’s annual PROMability initiative offers high school seniors with disabilities (seen or unseen) from Palm Beach, Broward and/or Miami-Dade Counties, in public, private, or home school a coveted prom opportunity.  Graduating students entering the contest were invited to submit their original essay, poem, song, and/or video that responded to "In My Perfect World..."contest subject. Prizes included: prom night limousine service, prom attire, hair styling, prom tickets, electronics, and more. Winners also receive a one-on-one mentor lunch with a business professional to further support them as they transition to higher education or the workplace.  

Cost of special needs transportation may keep students away from prom

Each year in a concerted effort from the beginning of the fall semester through prom time, the PROMability initiative focuses on enabling students with special needs to confidently express themselves in their own innovative, creative and engaging way to win the ultimate prom experience. Proms can be costly for many families.  According to the Florida Department of Education, approximately 375,000 K-12 students with disabilities are served in Florida schools.  Many of students, especially those with physical impediments are often unable to enjoy their own prom festivities due to lack of funds to cover the cost of special needs transportation and other necessities.  Several others will come face-to-face with bullying, cyber bullying, and name-calling in and out of school, which further damages their self-esteem and ability to learn.

The next annual PROMability contest will kick-off October 1, 2013 for the class of 2014 to win a chance to go to their prom in style, all expenses paid, in recognition of Florida’s Disability History and Awareness Weeks in public schools. Students can join the mailing list now for advance notification at www.PROMability.com.

Donations, Sponsors, Exhibitors, Auction Items, and Volunteers Needed
Purchase tickets for the “Blue Carpet Celebration” or make a donation today to support this worthwhile cause! Contact: TLC Mobility Foundation, 9858 Glades Road, Suite DB-200, Boca Raton, FL 33434, call 561.929.8950 or visit www.tlcmobility.org.