It may take a community to raise a child, but it takes Pirtleville to send a couple to the Prom.

Edith Rodriguez and Hector Garcia spent a wonderful time as a reward for their dedication and support to a Faras teacher in the past three years. Community members and businesses helped them with everything they needed to attend to the prom.

Edith Rodriguez, a senior, and Hector Garcia, a sophomore, wanted to go to the high school prom, but finances just weren’t there to make it possible.

But the community did not let that stop them from making this couple’s dream come true.

Rodriguez and Garcia have dedicated their time and effort after school for the past three years helping the Faras teachers in a wide variety of tasks, from cleaning and organizing the classrooms, running errands for the teachers, as well as other tasks that meant so much to those they helped.

In return, as a token of their immense gratitude, the faculty at Faras pooled their personal resources to reward their dedication by sending the pair to the high school prom in grand fashion.

Rodriguez received a full makeover — prom dress and shoes —and Hector also received a makeover — tuxedo and shoes.

They were chauffeured in grand style by Johnny and Josefina Arevalo in his completely restored 1939 Chevrolet Custom Deluxe.

The couple dined at the Grand Restaurant, after which they were taken to the prom where they danced and enjoyed their evening.  

It was quite a sight as the couple prepared to leave. The Faras parking lot was full of relatives, friends and well wishers. There were more than a few tears shed as the couple prepared to make their way to dinner and the prom.

Rodriguez, Garcia and the Faras School staff would like to thank the businesses of Carol & Company (Denise McGrew) who did and paid for her nails; My Shoppe (Rita Hernandez) who did her hair; The Grand Café (Richard and Irma De La Vega) for their dinner; as well as Lilly Vasquez for their wristlet and boutonniere; Johnny and Josefina Arevalo for chauffeuring them to the Grand Café and to the prom; Douglas High School Prom Committee and sponsors, especially Mr. Hurtado, Mr. Bates; Mrs. Hill for their help with the entrance fee; Hosanna Farrar; Kim Kemery; Jesse Smith who also donated for their pictures and yearbook.

It would not have been possible for them to attend their prom to create such a wonderful memory, without all the help that they received.

Their evening truly was a gift.