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"Stars on the Hills": a community tradition of selflessness
Sabrina Ziegler | 3/1/08 | News
aturday, March 1, Rotarians, highway patrolmen, parents and student caregivers united to witness and be a part of the fourth annual “Stars on the Hills” prom: a community production that reached out to about 300 local special needs citizens, ages 14-20. The music, which was provided by DJ Pedro Martinez –a Porterville City Council member- roared as attendees flooded the dance floor, non-stop from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Four months of planning and bringing people together, -on behalf of the Porterville Breakfast Rotary club- resulted in the incessant smiles on everyone who attended.
Exuberant guests began trickling into the Granite Hills cafeteria at 6:30 p.m., -each contributing additional energy to the room, which offered an array of red and purple to cast off the "Midnight Masquerade" theme. A display of balloons, glittered masks, and hand-made floral centerpieces were included in the cafeteria's decor.
"We did all the decorations. Last night we put in about three hours and this morning we put in another 3 hours. I learned that it's better working in a group of people," said Tana Quataker, President of Granite Hills' Interact.
Highway Patrolmen and Rotarians stood outside the cafeteria: anxious to greet the arriving students, who were dropped off in a limousine, donated free through Golden Touch Limousine Service.
Janice Castle serves on the Porterville Breakfast Rotary club, -the main sponsor of the event- as Chairperson. She said, "We have so many people in the community that help make this happen. [It doesn't cost guests anything, because] The Breakfast Rotary picks up the cost and people in the community help out. Porterville is just wonderful about giving."
In addition to Golden Touch limousine service, attendees receive dress and tuxedo donations from the community, which Rotary members collect throughout the year. The attendees also received corsages and boutonnières provided by The House of Brides. Salon Sassified donates hours to do the hair and nails of each girl who attends.
Gregory Gillett is Breakfast Rotary President, and has served on the club for 4 years. "This [event] is the reason I stay with the club. It's completely selfless. These people give so much time. It's the best party of the year. Everybody wants to give and sometimes people don't know how to do it, and that's what Rotary's about, -is pulling people together," he said.
At 8:00 p.m. the evening reached its highlight: the crowning of the prom court. King and Queen were David Herrera and Yuri Zavala, ages18. Prince and Princess were Danny Saikali, 18, and Judy Keoy, 19. All four students attend the Community Based Instruction class at Porterville Adult School.
Carolyn Peeks, their CBI teacher, said, "I'm so excited. This is something they've been looking forward to all year. I wish the community could know how important this is to the kids. They'll be talking about this until next year.”
Peeks feels, more people should know that simple donations, when given by a large amount of people, go a long way to make this type of event a success.
"The Rotarians put a lot into it. You just have to have a heart for these kids. This is huge to them," said Peeks.
The night came to a conclusion, with a packed dance floor of mixed ages, as DJ, Pedro Martinez played, "Play That Funky Music," by Wild Cherry.
Martinez previously worked for a freelance peace program for youth: -a radio station on 91.5. He has worked voluntarily, for events like the "Stars on the Hills" prom for 4 or 5 years, he said.
"[This event] just goes to show you that working together we can make wonderful things happen in our community. It's a way of empowering [the special needs students]. I love seeing the joy of the kids when they hear a song they like. Being able to be a part of it, I'm very fortunate. I think that we're definitely on the right track [as a community], and hopefully we can have more events like this," said Martinez.
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