Blind Students in the Bronx Celebrate Prom
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Last weekend was prom at the New York Institute of Special Education, a school for blind and visually disabled students in the Bronx. Photographer Vincent Tullo followed students wearing gowns and tuxedos from their requisite pre-prom photo shoots to the venue at F & J Pine Restaurant. He shot the prom court’s crowning, flower corsages, and raised hands on the dance floor.
Tullo said most students who use canes left them behind for prom night, opting for someone to guide them instead. “They want to feel more stylish and independent in their outfits during prom,” he said. “The main focus is to simply show that blind individuals do everything that sighted people do. They still like to look good and feel good about themselves just as much as everyone else.” He started taking his camera to NYISE earlier this year, hoping to learn more about the blind community for his college thesis at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Because the school is smaller, grades 8 through 12 attend the prom each year. Tullo began the night with a few students who live in the school’s campus dorms, photographing their preparations before they headed to the venue. See his photos with stories about each student in the slideshow ahead.
Glynnis Santeramo A senior at the New York Institute of Special Education. "Because this was her last prom, she thought it was nice to dress...
Glynnis Santeramo A senior at the New York Institute of Special Education. "Because this was her last prom, she thought it was nice to dress up a little more special," Tullo says. "She says her personality is always like that of a cat and that it felt right to wear cat ears for the prom."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Annette Edgard Attending her third prom. "She prefers to go by the name Yani, as she doesn't like her first name very much. Like most of the...
Annette Edgard Attending her third prom. "She prefers to go by the name Yani, as she doesn't like her first name very much. Like most of the girls Yani looks forward to prom because she likes to wear a nice dress. A lot of the dresses that the girls wear for prom are donated to the school every year."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Nathalie Wood Attending her second prom. "A lot of the kids go to prom almost every single year they can," Tullo says. "Nathalie s...
Nathalie Wood Attending her second prom. "A lot of the kids go to prom almost every single year they can," Tullo says. "Nathalie said she looks forward to it every time."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
John Leger Attending his third prom at the New York Institute of Special Education. "John said he likes to go to prom every year even if he ...
John Leger Attending his third prom at the New York Institute of Special Education. "John said he likes to go to prom every year even if he doesnt have a date. The highlight of the night for him is dancing."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
One girl's corsage.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Students wait for a shuttle bus to F & J Pine Restaurant, where the prom took place.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Chelsie Ried "She said she was extremely excited for prom because it gives the students a chance to dress up nicer than they would for schoo...
Chelsie Ried "She said she was extremely excited for prom because it gives the students a chance to dress up nicer than they would for school."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Emanuel Ford Attending his second prom.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Kevin Figuero "Kevin has been at the school since he was much younger and used to be very shy," Tullo says. "A few years ago he go...
Kevin Figuero "Kevin has been at the school since he was much younger and used to be very shy," Tullo says. "A few years ago he got a camera and has since pursued the path of photography and become much more outgoing. He has photographed many events at the school, including prom, but decided to not bring a camera this year because he had a date."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Esmeralda Chavez Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Jayden Higgs Attending his third prom.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Kaila Vanterpool Attending her first prom.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Michael Malcomb Attending his third prom.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
David Phillips "David is a senior, so this was his last prom."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
James Cone Attending his first prom at NYISE. "He has a decent amount of sight which allows him to play basketball at the school."
Pho...
James Cone Attending his first prom at NYISE. "He has a decent amount of sight which allows him to play basketball at the school."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
F & J Pine Restaurant's menu for the night.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Students dance to the music.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Michael Harris, Sarai Ramirez The prom king and queen dance together after they were announced.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Crowns laid out at the venue.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Prom court sashes.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Jayden Higgs, Esmeralda Chavez "They were each other's prom dates."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Students hold hands and dance.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Michael Harris, Sarai Ramirez The 2017 prom king and queen.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Michael Harris The prom king gets his sash.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Sarai Ramirez The prom queen received her sash during the prom court's ceremony.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
The prom prince is announced. "Because the prom hosts eighth graders as well, there is a prince and princess in addition to the usual prom king a...
The prom prince is announced. "Because the prom hosts eighth graders as well, there is a prince and princess in addition to the usual prom king and queen."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
The prom king, queen, prince, and princess stand together for a group photo.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Students on the dance floor. "The DJ for the prom played mostly hip-hop music, and a lot of the kids love to dance."
Photo: Photo by Vincen...
Students on the dance floor. "The DJ for the prom played mostly hip-hop music, and a lot of the kids love to dance."
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
Angela Villota, Erick Rosso The couple poses for a photo at the end of the night.
Photo: Photo by Vincent Tullo
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