Erika LaVoie

Fourteen Teens from Up County Family Center attended its first ever Prom held at Kessler's Interior Trim in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The prom was held on Thursday, May 30th, 2002. A beautiful background of greenhouses filled with exotic plants enhanced the setting.

The teens enjoyed a buffet style meal of stuffed chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, and peas followed by a sumptuous cake topped with cream cheese icing with an adornment of strawberries. Other refreshments were also made available.

A musical rhapsody was made possible by our DJ, Darryl Crockett, and was enjoyed by all during dinner and on the dance floor.

We would like to make special thanks to Kessler's Interior Trim for donating the use of their hall.

Many thanks also go to:

• Giant Grocery Store in Gettysburg, PA, who donated a $25 certificate for the purchase of food items.

• Flowers For You, located in Emmitsburg, MD, donated the flowers for gorgeous boutonnieres and corsages.

• Sister Mary Margaret Biddle kindly donated prom dresses for the young women to be adorned in.

• Linda Myers of Thurmont Middle School donated snacks and soda to add to our celebration.

Donating time and their specialties to our prom was Heather Megee and Jennifer Wisner who assisted with the construction of the corsages and boutonnieres, along with the creation of the cake.

Up County, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, provides educational services for the community. This includes ABE/GED, Flexible High School and Home Teaching. In addition there are employment and computer programs available for the general public.

Up County's staff provides encouragement and support through education, our child development room and parenting programs. Basic life skills (such as cooking and budgeting), computer classes, and job readiness are services that we offer. Up County is a place that welcomes and nurtures all families (regardless of income) who are raising young children. These services help strengthen the family.

Up County is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and can be contacted at 301-447-2810.