Naperville's 100-Year-Old WWII Veteran Finally Attends Prom, 82 Years After Missing His
Naperville resident Ray Svejnoha, 100, finally attended his high school prom 82 years after missing it to serve in World War II, thanks to students at Metea Valley High School who organized a surprise prom night for the WWII veteran.
Ray Svejnoha was supposed to go to prom in 1944. Instead, he went to war.
At 100 years old, the Naperville resident finally got his dance, thanks to students at Metea Valley High School in Aurora who decided the WWII veteran deserved a second chance at a teenage milestone he missed more than eight decades ago.
"I didn't have too much choice. I was supposed to report for duty, so that is what I did. I never made my prom, so it was sort of secondary in a way, but that's the way it was at that time," Svejnoha told Naperville Community Television.
A surprise invitation
Students in the school's Tech Connect club, which helps seniors with technology issues, learned of Svejnoha's story and planned a surprise invitation.
Carey Peterson, adviser of the Tech Connect club, said the idea started with a simple thought.
"I thought, 'I think we can help him out with that,'" Peterson said.
The students created a "promposal" poster and arrived at Svejnoha's senior living community with patriotic balloons, American flags, and a handmade sign reading: "82 years late, but right on time."
A full prom experience
Local businesses and community members joined the effort to give the veteran a complete prom night. Svejnoha received a fresh haircut and a tuxedo fitting. He rode to the dance in a vintage trolley decorated with balloons.
Students greeted him with cheers when he arrived and welcomed him onto the dance floor.
"It's so beautiful to see the connection between generations, and I love that Ray is rightfully getting his prom. Words can't describe it, honestly," Peterson told NCT.
Svejnoha admitted he had not thought much about prom during his teenage years. The war had taken precedence.
"It never (occurred to) me that the prom was that important in my lifetime," Svejnoha said. "But when they approached me about it, and the way they said it, why them girls were more excited than I was, but after I heard them, well, I was just about as excited, too, but it was so nice of them to even think about it."
Service before prom
Before his high school graduation, Svejnoha had taken exams for both the Navy and the Army Air Force. He was ordered to report for duty during World War II and never returned to attend his prom.
He survived the war and returned to the United States, where he has lived a long life in Naperville.
During the evening, Svejnoha took the microphone to thank everyone who organized the night.
"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, and I love you all," he told the crowd.
He also offered a reflection on the students who made it happen.
"You hear a lot of bad things about teenagers," Svejnoha said. "Well, this is a good thing about them."
The prom took place at Metea Valley High School in Aurora, about 10 miles from Naperville. The event drew attention from local media and national outlets, with many calling it a reminder of the sacrifices made by WWII veterans and the kindness of a new generation.