Community steps in to help plan a special prom for an Ottawa student
Like all graduating students in Ottawa, Makenzie Cannon’s hopes for an in-person graduation and prom were dashed due to the pandemic.
Cannon, 20, has Down syndrome and is graduating from St. Patrick’s High School this spring.
"COVID is hard, I don't see anyone," said Cannon.
Her mom Tina Cannon says her daughter was looking forward to going to her prom.
"It is the last year and that’s when all the big moments are held," Tina says. "Makenzie was ecstatic for her prom… and that’s when I decided to talk to my husband and say, 'She is getting that prom.' We are going to do it at home. Just because she can’t go out and do it, doesn’t mean she can’t have a prom."
Tina posted on Facebook this week asking for suggestions on a local limo driver they could hire. Within moments, the community responded with offers to help.
"It all started with that limo post. As of (Wednesday) morning, there were 985 people who linked and commented," said Tina.
Tina Cannon says she couldn’t believe the responses from the post.
"People want to send her cards; I have had people offer to pay for the limo. I have people offer to buy her a dress…. People offer to pay for her flowers saying, ‘No girl should have to buy her own flowers.'"
Both the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Catholic School Board say they will be going ahead with virtual graduation ceremonies. The boards are looking into opportunities to allow graduating students to go into their school, wear a cap and gown, and have their pictures taken while receiving their diplomas.
The Cannon family says they will be following the provincial guidelines on what will be allowed in their backyard, hoping to hold the party in early July.
"I am excited," says Makenzie.
Tina Cannon says she is overwhelmed by the community’s willingness to help make the day special for her daughter.
"It feels good to know there are good hearts out there and people care," said Cannon.
"Having all this amazing stuff come out of it, absolutely makes this year worth it. Yes, it was hard. But the end is going to be so much better for it."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.