'It just means a lot': Bluefield, P.E.I., grads grateful to celebrate prom

Parents rallied to save prom after school cancelled it

Image | Bluefield grads

Caption: The Bluefield High School Class of 2016 lets out a cheer during prom Friday night at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. (Natalia Goodwin/CBC)

Prom night was extra special for graduates at Bluefield High School on Friday night.
Special because it even happened in the first place.
The students at the school in Hampshire, P.E.I., were told earlier this year that because of problems with drinking and vandalism in previous years, their prom would be canceled.

Image | Grads

Caption: Bluefield High School grads Chandler MacKay, Laurissa Handren, Annie Compton and Dylan May pose at the prom Friday night at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. (Natalia Goodwin/CBC)

But a group of parents came together and worked with a student committee to pull it together off site — at Charlottetown's Eastlink Centre.
"For three years that's all they talk about was prom, especially the girls, so we wanted to make sure we made it happen for them," said Tammy MacPhee, one of the parent organizers.

Image | Bluefield grads

Caption: Bluefield High School students walk down the red carpet to their prom Friday night at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown. (Natalia Goodwin/CBC)

Many businesses from the community donated decorations, food and even a limo ride for a raffle prize.
As the teens danced the night away, they wanted to thank the parents for giving them the night.
"It just means a lot," said Dylan May. "It's kind of like our last time with all our class just to have a good time and and just reminisce of high school and it's a good send off just to life in general."
Charlottetown Police said there were no incidents reported from the prom Friday night.