STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

When Chris Koch celebrated his high school prom, men’s tuxedos were more of the pastel blue look.

This past weekend he and others showed up in a stunning display of razzle dazzle normally ascribed to females as they made their way to the second floor of Whiskey’s on Main and an Adult Prom benefitting The Space.

Cody Titus showed up in a prom jacket flashing with red and yellow sequins, while Hailey attorney Sam Linnet showed up in a stunning suit of yellow and white sequins.

Jeb Rodgers, Amber Rodgers and Carissa Connelly pose in the Photo Booth.

“You all look fabulous,” said Chris Koch, the event’s emcee.

Koch noted that he had spotted his jacket festooned with black and purple sequins and its vest of green and blue sequins at a Macy’s in New York and had to have it. He thought he’d be the only one wearing a sparkling suit but ventured that others had outdone him. “I love that this is so different.”

Those attending the Prom were ushered into a space where purple and blue balloons clung to the ceiling and silver balloons hugged the floor. Those willing to brave the pouring rain could make their way to Whiskey’s patio looking out onto Baldy where a Photo Booth awaited.

Inside was a buffet of sliders, Caesar salad and twice-fried French fries, along with a chance to bid on such prizes as golf for four from Sun Valley Resort, a cooking class for two from the Sun Valley Culinary Institute and membership passes to Zenergy.

Alicia Edwards and Cody Titus said they enjoyed a chance at a second prom. “It’s so fun and nice to wear something like this for a change,” said Alicia Edwards.

“We wanted to do a fun event that would attract people who may have never heard of The Space,” said Kristin Schneider, who was part of the organizing committee. “We designed it to feel like an ‘80s prom with a disco ball, photo booth, and we got some amazing sponsors.”

“It’s something fun for adults to relive our young lives,” added Aaron Bronson, executive director of The Space. “We thought: We do it for the kids so why not let adults have fun, too!?”

As far as anyone knew, it was the first adult prom held in the wood River Valley.

“I got so excited when I heard about it,” said Molli Linnet. “I love to dance and dressing up is fun. “

Candice Stark, Tamar Dolgen and Regan Nelson praised The Space’s accomplishments, including its ability to increase the students’ confidence.

Lahela Maxwell, who masquerades as a shy librarian by day, had been prom queen at Kalaheo High School in Kailua, Hawaii.

“This is purely fun. I love that everyone got in the mood,” she said, looking around at the prom dresses, corsages and tiaras.

Amber Rodgers said she had taken part in a Mom Prom in Los Angeles that raised funds to address domestic violence and so immediately gravitated towards this one.

“Mom Prom was so fun. It was all just women dancing, eating, dressing up—I wore a flapper dress and it was so much fun.”

It didn’t take long for the dancers to hit the floor.

Photos of youngsters who have availed themselves of the afterschool tutoring The Space offers in its space in the old Marketron Building in Hailey were pinned around the room, each with a testimony about what The Space had done for them.

Bronson said The Space works with an average of 30 kids a day from sixth graders to high school students who come to office looking for mentors. They have included a student  who dropped out of high school but got a GED with help from The Space and is now studying architectural design.

“In five years, we’ve gone from a just-out-of-box idea to supporting 250 kids,” she said. “We provide the space for kids to find the support they need to make it through school and find success.”

The parents of a boy named Alex told how their son was struggling to make friends. He quickly made friends in the environment of The Space, increased his reading level by three grades and now is considering a variety of options in the engineering, math and science field, said his father.

“Without The Space he looked super sad,” said his mother. “With The Space, everything changed.”