Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) Students Attend ‘Night at the Oscars’ Themed Prom

Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative recently hosted a “Night at the Oscars” themed Prom. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

NEW BEDFORD — They entered on a red carpet and danced the night away.

Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) recently hosted a “Night at the Oscars” themed Prom, decorated with movie posters starring SMEC students — “Five Nights at Ezequiel’s,” “It’s a Beautiful Day in Rylee’s Neighborhood,” “Sensei Emma,” “Sean’s Adventureland,” “The Magic of Marquis,” “Allie’s Puppy Rescue,” “Evan Saves the Krabby Patty Formula” and many more.

A SMEC staff member asked Transitional Services Program (TSP) student Desirae Carvalho what she liked best about the Prom, and she immediately replied, “Dancing!”

She used her communication device to share that she “loved dancing with her friends.”

“The SMEC Prom began in 2022 with one simple, core belief: every student deserves the opportunity to experience the excitement, celebration and memories that make ‘the Prom’ such a meaningful milestone,” said SMEC Special Education Teacher Lori A Valiquette, an educator in one of the Collaborative’s Integrated Services Programs (ISP). “Four years later, it has become a cherished tradition where students build confidence, strengthen friendships, and create lasting memories in an environment designed to celebrate who they are.”

Prom attendees included students from the Collaborative’s ISP II and Multidisciplinary Learning Classroom (MLC II) high school programs, Transitional Services Program (TSP) for students 18-21, and several recent TSP graduates who currently attend SMEC’s Adult Day Health (ADH) program.

“Seeing our students smile, dance, laugh, and simply enjoy the evening is a reminder of the power of belonging, inclusion, and the importance of creating experiences where every student has the chance to shine,” Valiquette said.

SMEC’s “Night at the Oscars” Prom was held on the evening of Thursday, June 18.

“We chose the theme because the Planning Committee wanted every student to feel like a star,” said SMEC Student Services Director Kim Wilmot.

The evening included a red carpet-arrival, dinner, music, dancing and karaoke.

“The SMEC Prom has really blossomed into an event to eagerly anticipate each year,” said SMEC Executive Director Catherine Cooper. “Our educators work very hard, every single day, to remind our students that they each have so much to give to the community, and each other. The annual Prom has become a very special night in our students’ lives, and I love that this tradition will continue long into the future.”

After the event, ISP II student Sean Trainor told his teachers, “I liked the fancy dance party!”

Sean’s parents, the Trainors, said Sean was “so happy to attend the prom, or as we called it, the ‘Fancy Dance Party’ with his friends, teachers and staff.”

“He looked so handsome in his sharp duds and kept them on all night,” the Trainors wrote in a message to Prom organizers. “Thanks to everyone for giving Sean and our family a very special night!”

“Lori Valiquette, one of our amazing special education teachers, really gets the credit for starting our annual SMEC prom,” Wilmot said. “She coordinates it every year, and every year it gets better and better. This is an incredibly special experience for everyone involved.”

The evening’s dinner was provided by The Friends of SMEC.

“We are very grateful to the The Friends of SMEC for providing dinner at the 2026 Prom,” Wilmot said. “The support of this organization is invaluable.”

Valiquette received assistance coordinating this year’s red-carpet event from Kaitlyn Rego, a first-year SMEC educator and Occupational Therapist (OT), who joined the Prom Committee shortly after coming to work at the Collaborative.

“With this being my first year working at SMEC, when I heard we had a prom I knew I had to get involved,” Rego said. “It was so special to bring an OT perspective to the event, especially in regard to sensory regulation. Together as a team of teachers, administrators, OTs, SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists) and paraprofessionals, we were able to create an inclusive and fulfilling event for all involved.”

Valiquette, Rego and Wilmot worked with fellow SMEC Prom Committee Members Amanda Donovan, Jenn Levasseur, Sharon Donovan, Will Hoffman, Danielle Johansen, Jen Furtado and Bill Sylvia.

The wide-eyed looks of amazement, smiles and laughter were obvious signs of success.

“Prom was great, the best part was the dancing,” SMEC ADH member Marquis Blakney told ADH Program Director Sharon Donovan.

“Come on, now,” Said ADH member Emma Fleurent. “Who wouldn’t like prom!”  

“Prom is truly such a unique and meaningful event for adolescents and young adults, as it signifies accomplishment, growth and friendship,” Rego said. “Each of our students in our high school, transitional, and adult programs deserve an opportunity to truly celebrate themselves as the stars that they are, which is why the Oscars theme was so fitting this year. It was so beautiful to see each attendee laugh, smile, dance, and sing with their peers and the staff present, and shine like stars on their special night.”

About SMEC 

The Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative is a public education collaborative established in 1975. SMEC is an extension of 10 public school systems, which make up its membership. The present membership includes the Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Fall River, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, Rochester and Old Rochester Regional public school districts. SMEC accepts students for enrollment in its programs from school systems throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. The Collaborative’s programs and services are locally based and locally directed and are designed to supplement the special education resources of its member districts. SMEC offers a variety of services for students with special needs aged 3-21 as well as adults with developmental disabilities. To learn more about the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, visit smecollaborative.org.

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The SMEC Prom was a time to socialize and celebrate for students in the Collaborative’s ISP II and Multidisciplinary Learning Classroom (MLC II) high school programs, Transitional Services Program (TSP) for students 18-21, and several recent TSP graduates who currently attend SMEC’s Adult Day Health (ADH) program. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

SMEC Prom attendees posed for keepsake photographs. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

SMEC students danced the night away. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC) recently hosted a “Night at the Oscars” themed Prom, decorated with movie posters starring SMEC students and featuring a red-carpet entrance (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

The SMEC Prom, started in 2022, has become an important Collaborative-wide tradition. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)

SMEC students took an active role at the Collaborative’s 2026 Prom. (Photo Courtesy Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative)