A Prom to Remember
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Two Wheeler County High School Seniors had a prom which they will never forget after their classmates voted them as the 2024 Prom King and Queen.
Sarah Jane Clark and Christopher Wilcox have spent most of their educational careers in Wheeler County Schools. Though they may do things differently from their classmates – as Clark has been diagnosed with Prader-Willi Syndrome and Wilcox with Down Syndrome – their classmates have always ensured that the pair were included by their peers.
“Ever since I moved to Wheeler [County Schools], Chris and Sarah have been nothing but kind to me,’ Senior Rhett Rodgers emphasized. “Every time I get to see Sarah in the hallways or wherever else, she’s always spoken to me. As for Chris, we have a friendship that I will never take for granted. I’ve had several classes with Chris and every time he sees me, he gives me a hug and a fist bump. Some of my favorite memories with Chris are shooting basketball and playing wiffleball in the gym.”
Rodgers said that the decision to vote for the pair as the prom royalty sprouted from an idea by fellow senior Lyndsie Hall, who first approached the class about the option in a group message. “She proposed the idea to the class group chat and from there, we knew who we were going to vote for king and queen,” Rodgers shared. “Our class thought it was a great idea for Chris and Sarah to be our prom king and queen because everyone needs to be loved and appreciated.”
He continued, “Sometimes we get so caught up in our own world that we forget to take a step back and put others first. Chris and Sarah are just solid to earth people, and they deserve the spotlight. If someone else would have won prom king and queen, the memories would fade, but for these two, the memories will last forever.”
On the night of prom, the crowning brought tears to the eyes of several onlookers, as the Class of 2024 honored two of their kindest members. “As principal, it really warmed my heart to see the love that the Class of 2024 have for each other,” Wheeler County High School Principal William Bell emphasized. “Our Prom King and Queen are two extraordinary students who truly have a heart of gold. Moments like that remind me why I am in education.”
Though prom may be over, the pair are continuing to make memories with their classmates as they prepare for graduation – yet, the excitement and kindness of that night will never be forgotten by the royalty or the community.
KIND CLASSMATES – Wheeler County Senior Rhett Rodgers said that Clark and Wilcox were two of his kindest classmates, and he treasured his friendship with them. L to R: Christopher Wilcox, Rhett Rodgers.
