100-year-old veteran attends 1st prom 82 years after missing his own
A World War II veteran attended his first prom this month, more than 80 years after missing his own high school prom, after being called up to military service.
When a group of students at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, Illinois, heard that Ray Svejnoha never got to attend prom, they came together to make sure he could finally go at 100 years old.
"During my younger age, I had a choice of going into the service, and I took two exams: one for the Navy and one for the Army Air Force," Svejnoha, who lives in Independence Village, a senior living community in Naperville, Illinois, told Naperville Community Television.
When it came time for his high school prom, he said he "didn't have too much choice -- I was supposed to report for duty."
Svejnoha shared his story with Carey Peterson, an adviser for Metea Valley High School's Tech Connect club, which helps senior citizens with technology assistance. The students in the club had gotten to know Svejnoha in recent months after working with the residents at Independence Village, according to the school.
"That's where my little lightbulb went on, and I thought, 'I think we can help him out with that,'" Peterson told Naperville Community Television.
Peterson said she organized a group of six students to make Svejnoha's dream of going to prom come true.
The students then surprised Svejnoha with a "promposal," complete with red, white, and blue balloons; American flags; and a decorated poster with the message, "82 years late, but right on time."
Svejnoha accepted the invitation.
"It never [occurred to] me that the prom was that important in my lifetime, but when they approached me about it, and the way they said it, why, them girls were more excited than I was," Svejnoha recounted, according to Naperville Community Television. "After I heard them, well, I was just about as excited, too ... it was so nice of them to even think about it."
The whole community then got involved to make the night special. With the help of sponsors who wanted to be a part of the celebration, Svejnoha received a haircut, manicure and tux fitting to get ready for the big event, according to the outlet.
Svejnoha rode to prom in a vintage trolley that was also decorated in streamers and balloons, and he was greeted with cheers when he joined the students on the dance floor.
"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, and I love you all," Svejnoha said over the microphone as he took in the evening, a moment more than eight decades in the making.
