The Austin High School special needs students are … well … special.

Their families and friends believe that to be true every day of their lives.

A glimpse of just how special they are to others occurred Saturday afternoon at the Mower County Senior Center, where the 2009 AHS special needs students prom was held.

When the first couple paraded around the room to the strains of “The Way You Look Tonight,” everyone stopped what they were doing to watch and take pictures.

Special was the only word to describe the scene and the afternoon that followed.

“There’s about 70 people here today,” said Dawn Helgeson, Arc Mower County executive director. “Special education students, mentors from the high school family members and friends are all here today to have fun.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Arc to be able to show the community what we’re all about, and we’re glad to be a part of this teen dance,” Helgeson said.

The AHS special needs students prom was turned over to Arc Mower County this spring. It caused some anguish for special needs students’ parents, who had sponsored the prom for the previous eight years.

The transition to Arc Mower County received passing grades from everyone Saturday.

“I hope we can continue to be part of the special needs students’ prom in the future when we get our addition built to the Senior Center,” Helgeson said.

School board members Dick Lees and Diana Wangsness were pleased with what they saw.

“I think the kids are enjoying it very much,” Lees said. “I think it is something that should be continued. They look forward to it all year long.

“It’s not only good for the special needs students, but it’s also good for the other kids, too,” he said.

“Everyone looks very nice. They are all dressed up and having fun,” Wangsness added.

Dr. Bruce Anderson, interim school superintendent, also gave the Saturday event his vote of approval.

“I’m feeling very good about it,” Anderson said of the prom. “It’s about kids, and kids having a great experience and a learning experience, so how do we not enjoy that.”

The excitement and joy of the students was infectious to all.

Anderson said he brought his wife to the prom and expected to dance, “but she thinks I’m one of the worst dancers she’s ever seen.”

Connie Simonson said she and her husband, David, another school board member, “practiced�� at home for the dance.

Kathy Green and Mary Kleis, also school board members, added their plaudits to the scene.

“I think it’s an awesome event,” Green said. “That’s the bottom line. That’s what we want to see.”

“I’m glad to see it so successful,” Kleis said. “It’s a good practice opportunity, and hopefully we will see the special needs students at the AHS prom as well.”

That next event is Saturday, May 2, at Riverside Arena.

Angie Ruhter, a parent of a special needs student, had gone before the Austin school board to publicly lament the cancellation of several activities for special needs students.

On Saturday, the parent gave the event her qualified endorsement.

“It’s something new,” she said. “It’s going to take some time to develop.”

“My biggest disappointment was that more regular students didn’t attend,” she said.

Jessica Cabeen, Austin Public Schools’ education supervisor, is also secretary of the Arc Mower County board of directors.

She shared master of ceremonies duties with Brad Bergstrom, AHS senior principal.

“We have been working very hard for the last couple of months, and we appreciate everyone being here today,” Cabeen said. “It’s an exciting day for all of us.”

Austin Jaycees members decorated the Senior Center social hall for the prom.

Saturday morning was spent helping the students prepare for the event, according to Kathleen Huffman. “They had help with their hair and make-up and getting spruced up for the prom,” Huffman said.

The special needs students and their guests enjoyed a catered meal from HyVee Food Store of Austin.

Store representative Julie Maloney presented checks totaling $1,500 to Arc Mower County and Austin Public Schools, as well as store gift certificates, to each student.

The spring prom fun didn’t end Saturday afternoon.

That night, Arc Mower County hosted its own prom dance for its consumers.

Doubts that the same joy and excitement of the previous special needs prom could be duplicated disappeared quickly.

“I have to thank the community, Hy-Vee, the Jaycees and Arc, for pulling off a wonderful event,” Cabeen said. “I think this is a new partnership and Arc wants to expand its teen program when its new addition opens here, so this is a great way to start that partnership.

“Many of our mentors at Austin High were able to come today and help them build better relationships outside the school,” she said.

One of those mentors was Breonna Bergstrom, a freshman. “This is the first time I’ve done this,” Bergstrom said. “The person I’m with today, I’ve known them in choir, so it’s a lot of fun to spend time outside school with him.”

The freshman also said she would encourage other mainstream students to become special needs’ students mentors.

Another mentor, Marcus Gunderson, a senior, was making his debut as a special needs student mentor Saturday.

“Last year, I wasn’t able to attend the dance,” Gunderson said. “This year I was excited to be able to come and volunteer.”

“It’s a good experience for all the kids, and it’s a good time,” he said.

What kind of preparations are needed to be a mentor at a special needs prom?

“Just put on your dancing shoes and have fun,” Gunderson said.