On Thursday, May 8, Bloomfield High School’s Believe Academy and Unified Sports program proudly hosted their 7th annual Unified Prom, a beloved tradition that has grown from just 22 participants in 2017 to over 220 this year. This inclusive event welcomed students from seven visiting schools with Unified programs: Carmen Arace Intermediate and Middle Schools, Avon High School, Tolland High School, Vernon-Rockville High School, Stafford High School, Berlin High School, and RHAM High School.
What started as a small gathering has blossomed into a large-scale, themed celebration. Since 2019, the event has featured creative themes like A Day in Hollywood, A Royal Ball, The Great Gatsby, and Hawaiian Luau. This year’s theme? A high-energy “Sneaker Ball”—where students dressed to impress and sported their freshest sneakers for a day of dancing, laughter, and connection.
The Unified Prom is designed to provide a daytime prom experience for students who may face barriers to attending traditional school-wide dances or proms, due to barriers such as timing, rides, friends, and/or anxiety. The event creates a safe, welcoming, and joyful environment where students can celebrate alongside their classroom peers, students from other Unified programs, and a team of dedicated volunteers.
This year, around 30 student volunteers from Bloomfield High School and visiting schools stepped up to make the event a success. These volunteers helped with every aspect of the day—from setting up decorations and food stations to painting nails, doing hair and makeup, running activity tables, and most importantly, joining in the fun. Their energy and dedication helped create an atmosphere of genuine inclusion and celebration. One organizer shared, “This group was the most inclusive I’ve ever had. Many stayed for the entire event—dancing, laughing, and making memories with everyone involved. The smiles were endless, and the inclusion was off the charts.”
The success of the Unified Prom would not have been possible without the generous support of school staff, student volunteers, community donors, and behind-the-scenes helpers. From decorating and logistics to food, music, and raffle prizes, it was truly a team effort that brought this special day to life.