Lake Erie College Students Help Create Magical Winter Wonderland Prom for Individuals with Disabilities

Lake Erie College students and community members came together on February 6 to support the annual Winter Wonderland Special Needs Prom, held at Painesville Baptist Church. Now in its ninth year, the event continues with a beloved tradition of offering an inclusive, joy-filled prom experience for individuals with disabilities and their families.

Originally affiliated with the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine initiative, Winter Wonderland has been independently organized in recent years by a dedicated planning committee led by Pastor Stoney Drain and Jackie Smith.

Guests were welcomed with a red-carpet entrance and treated to a full prom experience featuring elegant décor, hair and makeup services provided by Auburn Career Center students, professional photography by Nicole Adkins Photography, a lively photo booth, refreshments, karaoke, limousine rides from Lake Erie Limo, and high-energy music from DJ Brandon Stray of All About You Entertainment. Thoughtful accommodation ensured all guests felt comfortable and supported, including a calming sensory room with lava lamps and a relaxed atmosphere, as well as opportunities to interact with visiting Disney Princesses.

Each year, Dr. Katie Davis of Lake Erie College recruits and trains more than 100 students and community volunteers to support the event. She also works closely with the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Heroes Helping Those With Special Needs, and Miracle League of Lake County. Many prom attendees are Miracle League baseball athletes, making the partnership especially meaningful. Special thanks are extended to the Lake Erie College men’s baseball team and women’s soccer team, whose members made up a significant portion of the volunteer base and played a vital role in the evening’s success.

Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to Dr. Davis for her leadership, dedication, and expertise in making Winter Wonderland such a memorable experience. Her work reflects Lake Erie College’s mission in action — preparing students for meaningful careers through academic excellence and real-world engagement while fostering compassion, service, and strong community connections.

“The evening is truly magical,” said Dr. Davis. “While our guests dance and celebrate with their buddies, parents and caregivers can relax in our respite spaces and watch their loved ones enjoy the night through live video feeds displayed throughout the venue. It’s a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to give back and create a night fit for kings and queens.”

Lake Erie College extends sincere thanks to all the caring and compassionate volunteers, partners, and participants who helped make Winter Wonderland a night to remember.

Lake Erie College students who volunteered are listed below:

Adie, Gabby

Aurand, Hunter

Back, Natalee

Batey, Ansley

Bays, Hunter

Bechtel, Koden

Beck, Peyton

Blauman, Emily

Blazetic, Amanda

Bowerman, Noah

Bubonics, Joseph

Buckley, Ryne

Campbell, Aubriana

Campbell, Lilli

Carman, Brady

Carvalho, Isabella

Cashman, Violet

Chmielecki, Stephanie

Clarke, Katie

Cochran, Max

Connors, Colleen

Contrascier, Carl

Cornett, Billy

Denihan, Dan

Donlan, Nick

Druckenmiller, Carter

Eland, Emily

Emler, Sydney

Esquivel, Zavior

Feiler, Haley

Fender, Rachel

Formica, Tyler

Fountain, Matthew

Gardner, Sophie

Gardner, Trent

Geise, Micah

Gurule, CJ

Hammerschmidt, Axel

Hanken, Rori

Hansen, Christopher

Hansson, Lilly

Hazuda, Brendan

Henderson, Morgan

Hendrickson, Ethan

Herman, Joe

Hopwood, Hannah

Hoskins, Zachary

Huber, Craig

Hurley, Kadyn

Jackam, Rich

Lazar, Michelle

Lee, Jackson

Lefkus, Hunter

Lorencz, Matthew

M. Capuozzo, Joseph

Mannos, Seth

May, Dylan

McCloskey, Keith

McKenna, Alice

McVey, Carlie

Means-Flewellen, Julian

Meeker, Megan

Merckling, Cooper

Mielnicki, Ryan

Newman, Kyla

O’Farrell, Tanner

Pallas, Alexia

Passarge, Pauline

Phillips, Carter

Pierson, AJ

Piper, Michael

Piper, Robin

Polsinelli, Alaina

Poltrone, Brayden

Poltrone, Dominic

Powers, Peyton

Preto, Kelly

Pulliam, Maddox

Raphael, Abbigail

Reasor, Luke

Roberts, Dominic

Rowe, Brendon

Rozak, Joey

Sanom, Alyvia

Sayles, Jenna

Schmidt, Angela

Schmidt, Ed

Schudel, Caitlin

Schudel, Colette

Semick, Michael

Shaner, Dan

Sharkey, Camden

Sharp, Cameron

Shimek, Connor

Shirk, Amelia

Simmons, Jen

Sloane, Paige

Sowers, Ty

Speyer, Megan

Spicer, Neeko

Sullivan, Owen

Szilagyi, Sofia

Thompson, Jeffrey

Tuttle, Brenden

VanMeter, Morgan

Williams, Kaleigh

Williams, Teagan

Woods, Kali

Yacobucci, Seth

Yankovich, Travis