15 Jun UCP Tradewinds Education Center holds annual prom event 

School age students at Upstate Cerebral Palsy’s Tradewinds Education Center in Utica, Rome, and Chadwicks celebrated its annual prom on Friday, June 10, 2022. More than 75 students celebrated on the Armory campus in Utica.

Tradewinds students 18 years of age and older look forward to this special occasion every year. It’s a time when families and friends accompany their loved ones down the famous red-carpet during the ceremony’s grand march. Students were escorted in limousines courtesy of Adonis-Avanti Transportation Service and ate a delicious buffet provided by Delmonico’s Steakhouse. The event also included music provided by Upstate Cerebral Palsy’s own DJ Dave.

“Prom is a significant milestone in a young person’s life,” said Jeremy Earl, senior vice president of education services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy. “It is a chance to connect and develop valuable life skills through social interactions with their peers. Our education program is proud to celebrate this annual event with our students, many whom live with us year-round.”

This year’s prom Grand Marshall was Patti Carey, vice president of school age services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy. Patti has been with the agency for over 26 years and will be retiring at the end of this month.

“This event is very close to my heart,” said Patti Carey. “I remember the first student that walked down that red carpet 20 years ago at the very first prom. I have great memories of students, families and friends of all abilities coming together celebrating friendships and school spirit as these students continue to grow into young adults.”

The prom is one of the last events for the Tradewinds students before the school year concludes.  For more information or if you are a community organization interested in being involved with next year’s prom, please contact Jeremy Earl at Jeremy.Earl@upstatecp.org.

Upstate Cerebral Palsy is a multi-faceted health and human services organization that provides innovative programs and services that support people with differing abilities and their families that create opportunities to fulfill life choices.