Abilities First Spring Prom Provides Developmentally Disabled
Students a Wonderful Afternoon of Excitement and Memories
Poughkeepsie Elks’ Generosity Plays Key Role in Supporting Students
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., June 5, 2026 – Abilities First’s “Under The Sea” Spring Prom for students ages 15-25 with developmental disabilities was a heartwarming opportunity to enjoy a high school tradition featuring celebration, music, dancing and camaraderie with friends and loved ones.
Abilities First, a nonprofit organization, provides people who face developmental challenges and their families support to attain independence, self-determination, integration and acceptance by others through education, exploration and experience. The Spring Prom was attended by 26 students of Abilities First’s school campuses in LaGrange in Dutchess County and New Windsor in Orange County, as well as five alumni. The event has been a tradition since 2014, though it paused during the Covid pandemic.
Lilly Perri, 16, was clearly ready to enjoy every Spring Prom moment. Special care went into selecting her dress, hairstyle, makeup and even bedazzling her shoes, mom April Perri said. “To get here is such as blessing, a miracle,” she said, noting that Lilly has attended Abilities First programs since the age of 3. “I’m so excited for her. Everyone else gets to go to Prom, and this is a beautiful thing to celebrate. Lilly is a lover of life and loves music and dancing, and this is such a milestone.”
Perri also praised the Abilities First team that dedicated so much hard work into coordinating the event. For JoAnn Parker, Director of Development for the Foundation for Abilities First N.Y., the event is a heartwarming realization of the dreams so many young people have – and the Abilities First staff does all it can to make the Spring Prom memorable and successful.
“The Spring Prom is always such a special afternoon, and our students love the opportunity to dance, enjoy and be with their friends and families,” Parker said. “Students really look forward to it and immerse themselves in all the wonderful and memorable touches a Prom offers.”
The Spring Prom was significantly underwritten through the generous support of Poughkeepsie Elks Club No. 275, which again this year kindly donated use of its Overocker Road venue, as well as the buffet dinner, disc jockey services, event souvenirs and photo booth providing instant keepsakes. That philanthropy was supplemented by funding from the Foundation for Abilities First N.Y.
Students were resplendent in formal wear and elegant dresses, with carefully done makeup, coiffed hair, corsages and boutonnieres. Abilities First faculty and staff helped students get ready for the event, then joined in on the fun. Prom decorations that went above and beyond created that magical “Under The Sea” theme, and were kindly donated by Latwan Banks of Madeline’s Room Balloon & Event Decorating Salon of Newburgh. Jessica, a local high school student, enhanced the Disney theme by dressing as Ariel, dancing with students and providing glitter tattoos.
In addition to the Elks and Parker, the Prom’s coordination was led by Nancy Besio, an Abilities First LaGrange campus special education teacher for 30 years. Other staff members also ensured the Prom was memorable. Rona Mannain helped with decorating; Meg Simmons Jackson assisted with formalwear, altering, steaming, pressing, and finding accessories; and Tiffany Spranzman and Judith McIntosh selflessly offered their hair and makeup expertise.
Besio’s love of her students motivates her. “It’s so special to see them out there,” Besio said, expressing deep appreciation for the generosity of Poughkeepsie Elks Club No. 275. “To do this for these students is so meaningful so they experience a typical rite of passage for young people. It’s a yearly event we all look forward to.”
Abilities First participants were aided by volunteers from Arlington, Marlboro, John S. Burke Catholic and Our Lady of Lourdes High Schools, who danced and mingled with attendees to add to the event’s inclusiveness.
For Arlington High School senior Griffen Hartzell, volunteering was particularly meaningful because of a relative who has special needs. “I know firsthand that these kids don’t get type experiences other kids do,” he said. “It’s great to give them an experience that they’ll remember.”
Austin Kirschenheiter, also a senior at Arlington, said he originally volunteered with several fellow lacrosse athletes. “This is my third year doing this; it’s a great time,” he said. “We’re making sure everyone is included. It’s a really good thing.”
About Abilities First and the Foundation for Abilities First N.Y.
Founded in 1962, Abilities First is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the needs of over 1,100 children and adults with developmental disabilities from birth through adulthood throughout the Hudson Valley. More than 600 dedicated employees are committed to providing a culture of compassion, empowerment and respect through educational, vocational, residential, habilitation and family support programs and services. Founded in 2018, the Foundation for Abilities First NY is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Its mission is to garner the financial resources necessary to meet the programmatic interests and to assure the sustainability of the mission of Abilities First, Inc. Learn more at AbilitiesFirstNY.org.
