THE HOUSE ANNOUNCES ITS 3RD ANNUAL CINDERELLA BALL

Ruben Studdard, Kyle Maynard to Headline Event at Willard InterContinental in Washington

The House, Inc., a Virginia-based non-profit organization investing in the lives of Northern Virginia students in 4th-12th grades, is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Cinderella ball for students with disabilities May 31, 2008.

The 3rd Annual Cinderella Ball is a Prom Night designed especially for Middle and High School students with disabilities and will be held at the Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C, Saturday, May 31, at 6:00pm.

This special event will be highlighted with the live presentations from recording artist Ruben Studdard and best-selling author Kyle Maynard.

Ruben Studdard, the 2003 winner of “American Idol” who has gone on to become a successful, award-winning recording artist, will be meeting the guests, signing autographs, and performing a live concert for the students and their families.

Kyle Maynard is an ESPY Award winner and author of the New York Times bestseller No Excuses. Kyle was born a congenital amputee without forearms or legs below the knees but has found the secret to living a full and active life, and he will be sharing his compelling story.

This will be Kyle’s third Cinderella Ball appearance, an event he truly believes in. “Everyone in life has obstacles to overcome,” Kyle said. “If it weren’t for people in my life – my parents, coaches, teachers, and friends – and my faith in God, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s people like those at The House, with their events like the Cinderella Ball, who are making the needed difference in students’ lives.”

Kyle will also present the 3rd Annual “No Excuses” award to a student for accomplishments and determination in overcoming obstacles.

This year's event will be at the Willard InterContinental in Washingson, D.C. "The event site was selected because of the generosity and invitation by the Willard InterContinental Hotel," said The House President Helen McCormick. "The combination of this Five Star location, celebrity entertainment and public support will ensure a lasting memory for our students and their families as we face tomorrow today."

"We are seeking help in heightening the public awareness and invitation to join the work to improve the lives of student," McCormick added. "We ask poeple's assistance in collecting formal dresses of all sizes and accessories that provide the finishing touch to the Cinderella Ball. Our young men will receive shoe shines from our military's finest. In addition, gifts of socks and silk ties are being donated. We provide the free gift of dresses, hair and makeup appointment, shoes, jewelry, ties and other finishing touches to our student guests."

The entire event is free to students, but seating is limited and pre-registration is required. Individuals and corporations wanting to support the Cinderella Ball are welcome to call 703-928-1402 or 571-237-5860 for more information.

The House, Inc., A Student Leadership Center for students in Woodbridge, conducts before-school, after-school and weekend leadership programs for at-risk students in grades 4-12. For more information, please visit www.thehouse-inc.com.

The House, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

Official Flyer for 3rd Annual Cinderella Ball

Click the image above for a larger version.

House Students Visit Paige Hemmis and Extreme Makeover Team in Port Deposit, Md.

At the last Cinderella Ball, the students and staff of The House were excited to meet Paige Hemmis of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Little did we know what a wonderful friend Paige would become. She frequently checks up on us to find out what's happening and makes sure to tell others about her experience at The House's Cinderella Ball.

On October 20 and 21, students from The House were invited to make the trek to Point Deposit, Md., to join Paige and the Extreme Makeover crew as they worked on their latest project. They got some great looks at how the show comes together and met some great people who love helping others.

Below are a link to a great Baltimore Sun piece on the Extreme Makeover project, a news piece in which one of our students was interviews and several photos from the students' trip to experience some of the behind-the-scenes action and to witness the unveiling.

Pretty cool stuff.

From the Baltimore Sun:

Show to Make Over Home in Port Deposit

The horses neighed nervously as cameramen and sound guys scurried among them, but somehow an animal was singled out, harnessed and mounted - by Ty Pennington himself. For once, though, the spiky-haired, muscle-bound star of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was not clutching his trademark microphone, which he uses to bellow orders and inspiration. He needed both hands to hold on as his bewildered steed trotted and the cameras rolled, capturing footage of this Port Deposit horse ranch in the midst of a metamorphosis. (Read more)

Here's the news video where you can watch one of our House Students, Brianna Little, interviewed about the Extreme Makeover project.


Here are a few pics of our kids hanging out with Paige and the Extreme Makeover Design Team.

Potomac News: Going to the Ball

Thank you, Josh Eiserike, for your great coverage of the 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball.

Read the whole story here.

Going to the ball

The House hosts second annual prom for students with disabilities

By Josh Eiserike

jeiserike@potomacnews.com

Friday, June 8, 2007

Stacie Dunn has been looking forward to the second annual Cinderella Ball all year.

The Cinderella Ball, held at The House Inc. in Woodbridge, is a free prom for students with disabilities. Everything - from the donated dresses to the dinner and dancing - is free, due to donations from local philanthropists and volunteers.

The House, a nonprofit tutoring and mentoring program for teenagers, has been in operation since November 2005.

On the dance floor, Stacie is beaming from her wheelchair as her parents, Bob and Debbie, look on.

Stacie, 19, of Woodbridge has bad knees, Down’s syndrome and pulmonary hypertension. She’s hooked up to an oxygen machine in the back of her wheelchair.

“It’s not difficult,” said her father, Bob Dunn, 49, a Marine. “You deal with what you have to deal with.”

He added that there are lots of rewards, such as just seeing his daughter at a dance.

“The small things that don’t mean a lot to parents mean a lot to the parents that are here,” said Dunn, adding that Stacie, an 11th-grader at Potomac High School, had friends and schoolmates in attendance.

When asked what she liked best, Stacie smiles and lists all the friends she saw.

“Just look around,” said her mother, Debbie Dunn. “Look at how much fun these kids are having.”

***

When the guests arrive, they stood in line to get their picture taken with special guests Kyle Maynard and Paige Hemmis. Maynard was born with a rare disorder called Congenital Amputation, which means his only major joints are his neck and shoulders. He’s also a motivational speaker and champion wrestler - he wrote a book “No Excuses” and won an ESPN ESPY Award.

“I was here last year,” said Maynard, 21, a part-time speaker and a part-time student at the University of Georgia. “It blew me away. It was something I wanted to do again. … It was one of the most special things I’ve ever been a part of.”

Keep reading...

Let's Dance!!!!!

Paige and Kyle Sign Autographs, All Guests Receive Kyle's Inspirational Book, "No Excuses"

Paige and Kyle stayed for hours after the banquet and dance to make sure every student and sponsor (and U.S. Marine) received an autographed photo and book.

Thank you, Regnery Publishing (owned by Eagle Publishing), for again donating copies of Kyle's book, No Excuses, for all the students. We know they will be treasured.

Banquet Time

A Few of Our Guests and Their Families and Friends