Two Henderson students share a special prom night — PHOTOS
Blake Hernandez, right, adjusts Larissa Evans' prom queen sash as the two dance during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, fourth from left, is comforted by family and friends, including, from left, Bree Chauncy, 13, Cheryl Chauncy, Kelly Evans, and Ruth Geraldine "Jerry" Boswell, ahead of Evans' high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Kelly Evans, left, holds a necklace for her daughter Larissa, right, as Ruth Geraldine "Jerry" Boswell, second from left, looks on ahead of Evans' high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Kelly Evans, right, helps get her daughter Larissa into a wheelchair as Blake Hernandez, left, looks on, as the pair arrives for their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, second from left, is helped into a chair as Blake Hernandez, right, sits as the two prepare for their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans adjusts her tiara before posing for a portrait with her prom date Blake Hernandez during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans and Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Kelly Evans, left, puts a bracelet on the wrist of her daughter Larissa, with the help of Cheryl Chauncy, right, ahead of Evans' high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans' dress is shown ahead of high school prom nightin Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans, along with prom date Blake Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Kelly Evans, right, helps her daughter Larissa down the stairs ahead of Evans' high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans, along with prom date Blake (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez and Larissa Evans are crowned prom king and queen as special education teacher Jill Spatafore assists Evans stands during high school prom night at the Westin Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, center, with prom date Blake Hernandez, right, talks with friends and family ahead of high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez, left, and Larissa Evans, sitting in center, pose for a photo with the Hernandez family during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, left, and Blake Hernandez stand after arriving at the Westin Lake Las Vegas ahead of high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, left, and Blake Hernandez pose for a portrait at the Westin Lake Las Vegas ahead of high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, left, is pushed towards a table at the Westin Lake Las Vegas ahead of high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans waits for her high school prom date to arrive at her home in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, center, reacts before posing for portraits ahead of high school prom night at the Westin Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez, left, greets Larissa Evans ahead of their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Cheryl Chauncy, right, talks with Larissa Evans while doing her makeup ahead of Evans' high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Decorations are shown on a table during Basic High School's prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez stands after being crowned prom king during high school prom night at the Westin Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Hernandez, along with prom date Larissa Evans, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez and Larissa Evans pose for a portrait during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans and Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez, center, takes a break from dancing during high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Hernandez, along with prom date Larissa Evans, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, second from left, is helped into her wheel chair as Blake Hernandez, right, stands during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans and Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Blake Hernandez, center, talks with family and friends after being crowned prom king during high school prom night at the Westin Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Hernandez, along with prom date Larissa Evans, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Larissa Evans, left, and Blake Hernandez take a break from dancing during their high school prom night in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans and Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Cheryl Chauncy, right, helps Larissa Evans stand up as Evans prepares for her high school prom in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. Evans, along with prom date Blake Hernandez, both of whom are special needs students at Basic High School, were named prom king and queen. Evans' grandmother, Ruth "Jerry" Geraldine Boswell, looks on, left. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)
Brenda Hernandez, right, reacts after seeing her son, Blake Hernandez, after he was crowned prom king during high school prom night at the Westin Lake Las Vegas in Henderson on Saturday, April 16, 2016. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal Follow @csstevensphoto)@csstevensphoto
If you’ve been out on a weekend night the past month or so you’ve probably noticed the throngs of high school students out on the town during their prom night.
The night can be somewhat of a social rite of passage for many, or perhaps just a night of debauchery for some, but a small group in the student population rarely gets to experience this night with their fellow students.
Basic High School Senior Blake Hernandez had different plans, however, which he carried out by asking Larissa Evans, a fellow special needs student, to prom.
I had the privilege of documenting the pair experiencing a certain normalcy that tends to escape both Blake and Larissa, as well as their families, that warm April night, and it was a beautiful thing to see.
