ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Danielle Hart and Gregory Moise, and Jimmy DeLeon Matos and Lindsey Tobin, from left, will be going to the Lynn Classical prom.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — Gregory Moise has picked out his white tuxedo and Jimmy Deleon Matos has mastered his dance moves.
The two are ready for their special night because Lynn Classical High School seniors Lindsey Tobin and Danielle Hart asked these Creating Opportunities for Autistic Children (COACH) program students to attend the school’s June 6 Senior Prom at Danversport Yacht Club.
Tobin, who felt inspired by seeing a volunteer ask a COACH student to prom a few years prior, created a poster with “will you go to prom with me?” written in large letters. The poster had several photos of Tobin and Matos, taken with Tobin’s phone.
“He likes the Snapchat filters,” said Tobin, who has volunteered as an aid for the program’s classroom during her study hall for two years.
Tobin carried the poster into the cafeteria during lunchtime to pop the big question. Matos said he was surprised but very excited to attend the prom with his friend.
“Jimmy has been talking about prom since the fourth grade,” said Jessica Ayer, a COACH classroom teacher.
Matos expressed excitement for dancing, getting dressed up and having fun with Moise, who he said is his best friend.
“Prom is a beautiful place for dancing,” Matos said.
When Hart saw how excited Moise was for Matos, she knew she wanted to ask him to be her prom date.
“I’m excited to dance and eat food,” Moise said.
Moise’s white tuxedo should compliment Hart’s mint green dress nicely. Matos and Moise said they are looking forward to being gentlemen, and plan to pick out flowers for their dates.
While Tobin has been a volunteer for the program for two years, Hart got to know Moise through a physical education class.
The COACH program provides students with a separate classroom, or an environment outside of school for children with learning needs. It provides them with smaller sized classes, a smaller student-to-teacher ratio and a modified curriculum.
Depending on the student’s ability, they are sometimes able to attend inclusion classes with special and regular education students. Ayer said Moise has been involved in the school’s drama club for two to three years and is doing very well.
The high school and Pickering Middle School have two COACH classrooms, and there a dozen among the city’s elementary schools. The program has been at Classical for the past nine years, Ayer said. Students remain in the program until age 22.
If the girls had not asked, the students would not be going to prom, Ayer said.
“I just can’t wait to go to prom with (Matos),” Tobin said.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.