First State School prom brings new beats to an ‘Enchanted Forest’

May 1, The Wilmington Hospital Atrium was transformed into an enchanted forest for the First State School prom.

“Completed mostly by the students on the prom committee, the decorating work in the atrium setting offered them an opportunity to create their perfect, idyllic night,” said Liz Houser, BSN, RN, First State School program director. “Many of the students would not be able to attend a typical prom at a typical high school. But they were able to create their own enchanted evening this year.”

The First State School gives children and adolescents who would otherwise be homebound with serious illnesses the chance to attend school with their peers while they get the medical treatment they need. Located at Wilmington Hospital, First State School offers kindergarten through high-school education to children with diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, severe asthma, cancer and other illnesses. The program is the first of its kind and one of only three in operation nationwide. It is co-sponsored by Christiana Care and the Delaware Department of Education through the Red Clay School District.