Jenny Bahena looks to her mother before departing for the Grand March on April 30, 2022, in Milan. Less than an hour before the march, a close friend in the neighborhood let the prom couple drive his sports car for the night.
Jenny Bahena is helped out of a car by her prom date Dominic Dabney on the way to the Grand March of their prom on April. 30, 2022, at Milan High School in Milan. The Grand March is a brief parade of prom guests for the townspeople.
Jenny and her classmates lineup to take photos before the Grand March on April 30, 2022, at Milan High School in Milan. The town has the largest percentage of Hispanics in the state.
Andrea Dabney helps pin her son Dominic’s boutonniere as Jenny laughs on April 30, 2022, at the Bahena home in Milan. Andrea, who works as a teacher at the high school, said that Jenny would ask about Dominic almost everyday as he was away for college.
Irma Bahena holds her daughter Jenny as she wipes her mother’s tears in their home on April 30, 2022, in Milan. Irma became emotional when thinking of her husband and Jenny’s father, who died from complications of COVID-19 over a year ago. She said she wished that he was there to see Jenny go to prom.
Irma Bahena and her daughter Jenny wait outside St. Mary’s Catholic Church to take prom photos on April 30, 2022, in Milan. They weren’t able to take photos inside the church as their was a rosary service.
Irma Bahena and her daughter Jenny wait outside St. Mary’s Catholic Church to take prom photos on April 30, 2022, in Milan. They weren’t able to take photos inside the church as their was a rosary service.
Dominic Dabney asks her prom date Jenny if she’s comfortable on April 30, 2022 at the Milan High School in Milan. Dabney said that Jenny instilled confidence for him to learn Spanish, and to pursue a career in special education.
Jenny Bahena and Dominic Dabney pose for a selfie as Irma Bahena laughs on April 30, 2022, at Milan High School in Milan. More than three-dozen couples attended the Grand March.
Jenny Bahena looks towards her family members after the prom royalty is announced at the end of the Grand March on April 30, 2022, at Milan High School in Milan. The march was originally to be around the town square, but was moved to the high school due to weather.
Jenny Bahena and Dominic Dabney march in the Grand March April 30, 2022., in Columbia, MO. “I really see Jenny and her family as mine and I think I would do anything for them,” Dabney said.