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Foundation Hosts Second Autumn Prom Night 150 young adults with Down syndrome enjoy unforgettable experience 11.02.08

Anna Jones

The music could be heard well down the block from the Crowne Plaza in Clayton, as could the cheers and applause that greeted the arrivals as they hit the red carpet.

Those were just the first signs that the second annual Pujols Family Foundation Autumn Prom, held on Sunday, Nov. 2, was off to as energetic a start as the inaugural Autumn Prom in 2007.

Up on the seventh floor in The Crystal Ballroom, approximately 150 young adults with Down syndrome and their dates enjoyed what is quickly becoming one of the most fun and anticipated nights of the year for a special group of people.

"Dancing and pizza (are the best)," said a dapper John Powell, 17, who escorted his godmother, Pat Heskes, but managed to sneak in dances with more than a handful of other young ladies.

Formalwear ranged from tuxedo vests and matching suspenders for the gents to cocktail dresses or evening gowns and high-heeled shoes for the ladies. One young man even donned a Pujols "No. 5" T-shirt beneath his dress shirt.

And radio host "Smash" and his 12-member Smash Band, known as "St. Louis' favorite party band," had the music thumping and the dance floor packed.

"We had more than 150 responses (to the Autumn Prom invitation) and we sent out just over 200," said a smiling Jen Cooper, program manager for the PFF. "That's the highest response rate yet for a foundation event."

Albert and DeeDee take to the dance floor

The first PFF prom was held in September 2007, and Albert was set to attend, until a late scheduling change had him working a night shift for the Cardinals.

This year, fresh off a season that included MLB Player of the Year honors and the Clemente Award, he and his wife, Deidre, helped launch the prom festivities when they took to the dance floor for the first dance. He wore a dapper suit with yellow boutonniere while Deidre wore a gorgeous gold cocktail dress with black lace overlay.

By the end of the song, the prom-goers joined them on the dance floor, and three hours later, many were still going strong.

Photos taken

Just outside the ballroom, Gina Kelly and the staff of Lace Images provided the photography, and the line was solid for more than hour.

Albert even joined a few of the guests for their photos.

"The highlight for Megan was Albert Pujols taking a picture with her," said Mike Few of his daughter, who's 21. "He gracefully stood by her. And Albert's wife came by and said hi. Everyone has been really friendly and helpful. It's been a very enjoyable time."

Added Megan, who lives in Glen Carbon, Il.: "I like the Cardinals and No. 5. Albert is one of my favorite players. I don't have any other favorites.

"I have a disability, which is Down syndrome. Albert also has a daughter with a disability. I haven't met her, but I think she's too young to stay up this late."

Sponsors and volunteers

Helping to make the night possible were a number of sponsors and dozens of volunteers.

Mike Geerlof of Mike's Balloon Creation Company created elaborate balloon designs, including balloon "wings" that some dancers donned and a three-foot tall Popeye.

Maui Wowi was busy blending a variety of tropical smoothies. McAlister's Deli had scrumptious treats, Papa John's provided loads of pizza, Fitz's Rootbeer was flowing and the Crowne Plaza had an extensive array of foods, with much of if it disappearing quickly.

And volunteers throughout the event helped keep the evening running smoothly.

"This is a wonderful event, I definitely want to volunteer again," said Katie Bassel of Ballwin, who had met PFF executive director Todd Perry through her role in marketing for the St. Louis Cardinals. "The kids are all so upbeat, it's great to be around them."

Twisting the night away

As the photo line got smaller, so did any remaining space on the dance floor.

About half of the guests brought a parent or family member, and about half brought a peer as their date. And with everyone setting their clocks back an hour earlier that day, some of the "grownups" were starting to look a bit weary by about 8:30 p.m.

But the kids were just getting started, and by 8:45, the dance floor was so crowded, the moving and shaking had spilled into the seating area, even engulfing a couple of tables.

At 9 p.m., Smash called everyone together for the evenings' big dance-off: A Twist Challenge. Everyone showed their moves, then Deidre and Albert each chose two couples for the dance-off, with the winning couple to receive St. Louis Blues hockey tickets.

The four finalists all drew big shouts and raves:

• Bradley and Mary - The couple mixed some serious twisting with lots of spins and some back-to-back moves.

• Joey and Natasha - Joey, dancing with his sister, had some serious twisting and grinding, swinging and swaying and fist pumping.

• Ethan and Jennifer - Jennifer twisted away in heels, and Ethan, who had made quite a name for himself at the PFF Home Run Derby over the summer, showed his moves too.

• Nick and Paige - The longtime couple added some high fives to their dance too.

And the winner was …

Everyone drew so much applause and cheers that all four couples came away winners of the Blues tickets.

Bradley, 31, of Wright City, was especially excited about the Blues tickets as he plays Gateway Hockey. And when asked how he learned to dance so well, Bradley said, "I learned from Elvis Presley and Grease, the movie, with John T. … When I see the tables and chairs, I think of Grease."

"Last year, he danced the whole time so this year, I told him he needed to stop and eat something," his mom, Nancy, said with a laugh.

Added his partner, a smiling Mary Hodes, 30, of St. Louis, "He knows how to dance. I just follow him."

Final song

By the end of the evening, about a dozen young adults with Down syndrome had joined the Smash Band on the stage. Some even took the microphone to offer tributes and shoutouts to parents, friends and especially Albert and Deidre, who were still mingling with everyone.

At 10 p.m., the Smash Band had to play its final song so the hotel guests - and PFF prom-goers - could get some sleep after one rocking and raucous night.

Click here for photo slideshow