Shelton HS Alum Planning Alternative Prom for James Tate [Update]

Update 1:19 p.m.

The following message appeared on www.jamestateprom.com today:

"At the request of our hero James Tate and his family, we will no longer be able to accept cash donations on our site through PayPal. We will be issuing immediate refunds to all that donated. We love James and support him regardless of this decision. You can still support James through “Team Tate” Tee Shirts (see below!). With all the support and service contributions, the James Tate Prom 2011 will be EPIC!"

Original Story

James Tate may be able to attend prom after all. Well, not the school’s official dance, but a lavish celebration nonetheless.

A Shelton High class of 2004 graduate heard about Tate’s for a creative date proposal and sympathized with the high school senior so much that he launched a social media campaign for an alternative prom option.

When Christian Iannucci first read about Tate, his initial reaction was that of confusion and disbelief.

“I felt so bad and couldn’t believe the school would punish him by taking away prom,” Iannucci said. “When I was a senior, we pulled a prank where we painted a large rock outside the arts department to look like a grizzly bear. It was all in good fun and there was no discipline.”

Wanting to be actively involved in support efforts, Iannucci contacted a friend and the two began brainstorming ways to help this teen neither had ever even met.

“We were talking about how there’s a time and place for discipline, and this is not it,” Iannucci said. “We thought that with the amount of focus that’s on Facebook we could create our own page and get support.”

That page, “The New Shelton Prom! (The James Tate Prom 2011!),” was created around 11 p.m. Tuesday night and has gained more than 8,000 members since then.

The page’s description reads in part: “This is about freedom of speech, freedom of art. We welcome your support, energy, love and participation!”

On Wednesday morning, Iannucci began contacting different venues to ask if they would be interested in hosting a prom.

“I talked to Aqua Turf in Plantsville and the AmeriSuites and Marriott hotels in Shelton and they said they’d be willing to do it for free,” Iannucci said.

Ideally, Iannucci would like to hold the alternative prom at Shelton’s Jones Tree Farms. “They’re a town icon and to keep the celebration within Shelton would be so cool.”

He also reached out to radio stations, caterers, DJs and places that sell decorations. On the Facebook page, he boasts that “global companies are endorsing this event – like PEPSI.”

Iannucci said dozens of people have been contacting him to ask where they can send money to help fund the cause.

To meet this demand, he launched the website www.jamestateprom.com late Wednesday night, with a link to donate via PayPal. "Team Tate" T-shirts can also be purchased on the site for $10.

If SHS Headmaster Dr. Smith reverses her decision and allows Tate to attend his senior prom, all funds will be donated to Tate’s college tuition at Syracuse.

So far, of an alternative prom has been positive. Many SHS students said they’re considering it, and Iannucci said parents “are calling this a nice community movement.”

“But it also affects a larger scale,” he added. “We want to get the message out, beyond Shelton, that acts of love and kindness don’t deserve punishment. This kid was acting on emotions, and those first feelings of love are so powerful.”

While Iannucci is serious about organizing The James Tate Prom 2011, he says he’d love to see the school administration change their minds.

“This can be a great alternative,” he said of his plans, “but I have hope that in the bigger picture James can go to his prom and the decision will be overturned.”