Classmates help put on special prom for girl with mental illness


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ALPINE — Audrey Rhodes had two big dreams — audition for the Stadium of Fire and attend her high school prom. But as a patient at the Utah State Hospital, both dreams were out of the 16-year-old's reach.

"To walk out of there, knowing that she doesn't know why she is there, and you just have to leave her. It is so heartbreaking," said Midge Rhodes, Audrey's mother.

Audrey has been a patient at the hospital since February. She has autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

"It was literally like watching the light in her eyes go out," Midge Rhodes said.

She first noticed her daughter's symptoms of schizophrenia when Audrey was in the fifth grade. "She would stay up all night giggling and talking to herself." she said.

As Audrey grew older, her condition worsened and her family could never leave her alone out of fear she might harm herself or others.

It took Audrey's parents four years to could find a psychiatrist able to diagnose her.

"It really is like losing a child, but she is still there and she doesn't know," Midge Rhodes said. "She thinks she is normal and can't understand shy she can't come home."

Planning prom

Hoping to give her daughter something to look forward to, Midge Rhodes started planning a dinner for Audrey with her high school crush, Tyler Hanks. But when she contacted a teacher at Lone Peak High School to find him, the teacher said lots of students would want to come and support Audrey.


This, to me, is the epitome of compassion.

–Midge Rhodes, Audrey's mother


Plans for Audrey's own prom quickly came together. Friends, and even strangers, donated decorations and food and helped set everything up Friday at an Alpine church building.

"This, to me, is the epitome of compassion," an emotional Midge Rhodes said as she worked to get lights and paper stars strung. "The number of kids that are going to come out tonight and be here for her, and the people that have come together to help me put this on for her, that is compassion."

Audrey's "dream date," Tyler, shared an English class with her last year. He considered it an honor to escort Audrey to her dance.

"I was more than happy to do it because Audrey's a really cool girl," Tyler said.

The special night

More than 100 students decked out in prom attire greeted Audrey when she arrived. She beamed as she got out of the car. Tyler handed her a corsage, and Audrey presented him with a stuffed animal.

"This is cute. You are cute, too," Audrey told her date.

"You look really good tonight," Tyler said.

Audrey Rhodes and her prom date, Tyler Hanks. (Photo: Rhodes family)
Audrey Rhodes and her prom date, Tyler Hanks. (Photo: Rhodes family)

The couple then made their way inside to the dance floor as their parents watched.

"It is incredible. It really is," said Bryan Rhodes, Audrey's father. "The support we have received for such a humble idea, people I haven't even met just coming out of the woodwork, it really is quite something."

Audrey has faced many dark nights, but on this special night the stars all shined — and she couldn't have been more grateful.

"It is the best night of my life," Audrey said, taking a break from the dance floor. "They are all really nice. They are all good people. I like them a lot and they are beautiful too."

There was still one more dream to come true.

"I hope they have a prom queen here," said Audrey, unaware that she would soon receive the honor.

Audrey's older sister, Jessica Rhodes, first thanked the crowd before bestowing the honor.

"I know it has made Audrey's dreams come true and it has helped my family, and I'm just so grateful for all of you," she said.

Jessica Rhodes then called her sister and Tyler to the stage as the crowd began chanting, "Audrey! Audrey! Audrey!"

After receiving a crown made of flowers, Audrey took the microphone: "I want to say something. Even though I am going through really hard times, being stuck in the hospital for medication reasons, this is really a dream-come-true. Thank you guys for doing this for me."

More than a dance

But it was Audrey everyone wanted to thank for bringing them together to celebrate dreams, friendship and compassion.

For Audrey's family, the night gave them the chance to forget the heavy toll mental illness has taken on their family.


The support we have received for such a humble idea, people I haven't even met just coming out of the woodwork, it really is quite something.

–Bryan Rhodes, Audrey's father


"For six years we have been fighting not only for help for Audrey, but to keep our family together," Midge Rhodes said.

She said her family used to have spontaneous dance parties in the kitchen to reduce some of the stress, adding that, "This time our community danced with us and it was amazing!"

At 9 p.m., the prom queen had to return to the hospital, but everyone else stayed to help clean up.

"It was like a small army. We had that placed cleaned up in just over an hour," Midge Rhodes said. "We have the most awesome kids here."

She hopes publicity from this dance will encourage more families to discuss mental illness.

"You need the help and the support and you have to talk about it," she said.

She also said she will be forever grateful for the kindnesses shown to Audrey.

"They are not afraid of her," Midge Rhodes said. "And it is not something that is scary or should be shunned; it's an illness."

Contributing: Mike Headrick

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