Poughkeepsie, N.Y. (June 8, 2015) – Abilities First School held its Prom on Friday, June 5, 2015 at the Poughkeepsie Elks Lodge #275 for its students with disabilities. Over 20 of the School’s upperclassman attended the formal. Each student received superlative awards like Most Likely to be President, Best Dancer, Most Likely to Work for the FBI, Best Celebrity Impersonator, Best Classroom Helper and more.

The prom was supported by the generous donations of the community. Poughkeepsie Elks Lodge #275 has again generously donated the venue, the DJ and a monetary contribution. Through the Junior League of Poughkeepsie’s “Cinderella’s Closet” Prom Dress Drive, eight students were able to choose from twenty beautiful gowns to wear for the special event. In addition, the following community members and businesses donated or gave discounts on goods or services: Luxe Salon & Spa Poughkeepsie, Lucille’s Floral of Fishkill, Tami Cacace, and Michael’s Restaurant in Wappingers Falls.

The Arlington, Beacon, Wappingers Falls, Millbrook, Newburgh, New Paltz, Pine Plains, and Webutuck School Districts and Poughkeepsie Durham School Services and Poughkeepsie First Student kindly provided transportation for the students.

In 2014, when one of the students expressed his desire to have their own high school prom, just as any high school teenager would, the School’s PTA and support staff came together to organize the school’s first Prom. The Abilities First School has decided to make this an annual tradition.

Abilities First, Inc. recently announced that renovation is underway on a new state-of-the-art school for students with developmental disabilities. When complete, the new school will include 9 classrooms with instructional technology, adaptive physical educationThe process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs and habits. We believe all children and adults can benefit from quality education. space, a fully outfitted sensory gym, clinical space for therapies, and a fully accessible playground. Occupancy will take place sometime during the 2015-2016 school year.