Like most students, Jordan Barlow had dropped off a poster for his date, inviting her to the dance. They dressed up and arrived at Siempre, where they danced with peers for hours that night.

His favorite song was “A boyfriend” by Justin Bieber.

“I liked the dance part (of the night),” said Barlow, a Life Skills Academy student.

His mother, Mandy Barlow, said he and his friends in a hip hop group choreographed a routine to it.

“They have a really cute dance to it,” she said. “They stole the show.”

March 19 was “A Night Full of Stars,” an all-abilities young adult prom, but one which welcomed all ages. Students in the adult transition programs from Canyons, Granite, Jordan and Alpine School Districts as well as some who aren’t enrolled in a program came to boogie down. Peers danced alongside them and even some parents joined in the fun.

Mandy Barlow said the goal was simple: create an experience that was special.

“I didn't want it to be at a school gym or at a church; I wanted these kids to have a beautiful experience,” she said. “They don't get the opportunity to go to dances very often, so I wanted them to have a really nice, fun experience.”

Jordan’s mother began planning months in advance, teaming up with Anne Kimble, Sammy’s Buddy program executive director. Together, they combined community connections and volunteers for the event. 

“I started reaching out and it all came together,” Mandy Barlow said. “A lot of people wanted to be involved.”

Kimble said the need for an event like this becomes clear after students leave high school. 

“Once these kids graduate from high school, they lose so much of the peer and community connection they've had,” she said. “They no longer have unified sports. They don't have inclusive dances and those opportunities to connect with peers of all abilities on a regular basis. One of the needs we see so clearly is that young adults with disabilities often don't have the consistent opportunities for social connection after they leave high school. They need spaces where they feel a sense of belonging, where they can build real friendship, and where they're not simply included, but have the chance to be celebrated.”

Local businesses and people donated or discounted their services, making it a special night. Nearby CTEC cosmetology students provided hair styling and even community members donated formal wear. Volunteers, many of them attending Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah and Utah Valley University, helped organize, set up and run the event and danced alongside their peers.

“I love everybody was dancing, there's no inhibition. Everyone's happy. Everyone dances with everybody. Everyone's included,” Mandy Barlow said.

She also appreciated the DJ knew “not to play it as loud as what maybe he would play like at a high school dance because it can be overwhelming.”

A quiet room was set up, giving dancers a break and some options to make bracelets or color.  Some of the young adults opted for cotton candy.

“People loved that and there were some cute cotton candy sculptures,” Mandy Barlow said.

For Kimble, the night showed what intentional inclusion can look like, not just inviting people in, but putting them at the center of the experience.

“I loved seeing these kids participating; they weren't on the outside looking in. They were at the center of the whole experience, and they were creating memories in a space that was specifically designed for them to enjoy, to shine,” she said.

The prom also gave many young adults a sense of independence. Some parents opted to step back, allowing participants to enjoy a night that was their own.

“This was the first all-abilities young adult prom we know of which supported young adults, and it created a place for them to connect and gain confidence and also continue developing independence. It allowed these young adults to feel independent and feel ‘This is my night out, my night to shine,’” Kimble said.

She said events such as this dance don’t just impact those who attend; they shape the broader community, helping volunteers and sponsors better understand what true inclusion feels like.

“One of the things I loved about it is how it was equally impactful for the broader community. We loved bringing in sponsors who were so excited to be a part of this, and it allowed us to show how when students of all abilities come together, barriers and misconceptions can fade,” Kimble said. “Peer mentors, volunteers and community members, who hadn't experienced something like this before, walked away with a deeper understanding of true inclusion, not just as an idea, but something they experienced firsthand. It was joy from start to finish. I truly feel events like this can help shift culture when we prioritize belonging. This was just one night, but I feel like when we provide more opportunities like this, it can carry into everyday life. This all-abilities prom was so much more than a fun night; it was a powerful example of what happens when we intentionally create spaces and opportunities where everyone belongs.”

Mandy Barlow hopes this is just the beginning.

“I can see it getting even bigger next year as more people learned about it, more wanted to be a part of it — and it was amazing,” she said. “The word of the dance spread. In this community, having something adults can go to and have fun — it spreads like wildfire.”