Playing cards hung from the ceiling seem to hover in midair. Mushrooms made from umbrellas and extravagant arrangements of colorful flowers give the enormous room the feel of a cartoon. Alices, mad hatters, and queens of hearts wander around in a dreamlike state, and performers on silks dangle precariously many feet above the ground. Warm fairy lights strung all around the room perfectly juxtapose the otherwise loud, eccentric decor.

Recently, I attended a very unique event in Amarillo called Second Chance Prom. Each year, Martha’s Home puts on a prom for adults who never got to attend their own prom or simply want a redo. This year’s theme was Alice and Wonderland and people wholeheartedly embraced it. For $45, attendees gain access to great food provided by restaurants like Pescaraz and My Thai, live music by Velvet Funk Band and Amarillo’s Jason Patrick, and a chance to win big in the silent auction. All proceeds benefit Martha’s Home and go towards providing shelter and support for Amarillo women who are in desperate need of a second chance.

I attended the prom with Flying Fitness and Aerial Arts Studio, where I attend aerial silk classes. One of the highlights of the night was the aerial silks performance, and I had the chance to help out with it. While I myself did not perform, I helped out the studio by doing the performers’ makeup.

Live music, great food, and a stellar performance by my aerial silks group made the night very memorable. In a way, it gave me a second chance at prom too, while being a rewarding experience. I would recommend this event because you are guaranteed to have a great time while donating to a worthwhile cause and helping those less fortunate get their second chance.