Virtual prom happening for local high schools

COVID-19 has changed everything, but especially for seniors graduating from high school.

The Vicksburg-Warren School District has organized a virtual graduation, and families are doing what they can to make this unique graduation special for their seniors.

One of the highlights of the year for any senior is prom. Since the pandemic means there is not going to be a prom this year, Gina Hendrickson, a Vicksburg transplant from the Bronx, has organized an online prom for the local high schools.

“I have a soft spot for children. I commend the Vicksburg-Warren School District for what they are doing for the seniors this year. But they don’t get a prom so I thought, hey, what about Zoom?” Hendrickson said. “My husband John and I looked at the cost of doing a Zoom prom and paid it. That way it would not cost any student anything for the virtual prom.

“Then we spoke with some local DJs. The first one we spoke with was DJ Trap, himself a a Warren Central High School grad and he agreed to do the Warren Central prom for two hours. Then he said he would do it at no charge. Every DJ we spoke with after that also agreed to do it at no charge.”

DJ Trap’s real name is Jamal Williams. He, along with local DJ’s Shaggy (Dailon Huskey), Country Que (Jeremy Johnson), KG (Kenny Green), and HD (Henry Diaz Alvarez) will provide the music. Zoom (an online meeting service) will provide the location, and local restaurants and bakeries are providing a limited number of meals and treats for families already struggling with the financial burden of COVID-19.

If your family can provide your own meal for graduates, Hendrickson is asking you let her know so those most in need can receive the treats and meals.

Contact Gina Hendrickson at vicksburgvirtualprom2020@gmail.com or 914-522-4692 to get a code to log in or for more information.

The prom dates and DJs are as follows:

• Warren Central on May 7 with DJ Trap. You will have to RSVP by this Thursday, April 30.
• St. Aloysius along with Jacob’s Ladder is May 8 with DJ Shaggy. RSVP by May 1, this Friday.
• River City Early College and Homeschool Seniors will be held on May 14 with DJ HD. RSVP by May 7.
• Porter’s Chapel will be held on May 15 with DJ Country Que, RSVP by May 8.
• Vicksburg High School on May 16 with DJ KG, RSVP by May 9.

“I just wanted to do something for the kids,” Hendrickson said. “They deserve it.”