ALLEN PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) — 2020 has shaped up to be a rough year for high school seniors. The pandemic canceled athletic events, prom and graduation.
Many families are trying to cheer up their graduating seniors by holding their own events.
One family in Allen Park made sure their daughter got a prom she will never forget. Mom Debbie is trying to make her daughter’s dream come true.
Carissa Lee is a senior at Allen Park High School. She was looking forward to going to the prom with her boyfriend Aaron. It was supposed to be in May, but was rescheduled for August because of the pandemic.
Now, they got word the August event is canceled. That means no prom for the graduating seniors.
Carissa said, “It was just a little disappointing.”
So Debbie came up with an idea, if Carissa can’t go to the prom, why not have the prom in the backyard.
Debbie explained, “Other than your wedding dance, I think that’s the most important dance of your life, so if I could give it to her, why wouldn’t I?”
Making up for the prom is a popular idea. Many students are taking prom pictures or creating their own events and posting them on social media.
Carissa said, “It’s really cool to see people not just completely giving up.”
It took the Lee family four hours to set up and less than a couple hundred dollars.
Dad Chris Lee said, “I was the brawn. I helped her put everything together that she needed.”
Brother Chris and sister Alexis were part of the ‘wait staff’ that served up food picked up from Olive Garden.
While this has been a tough year for high school seniors throughout Michigan, Carissa says efforts like this bring families together.
“Really help out bringing out smiles in us and just trying to stay positive,” she added.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.