More than 80 years after military service kept him from attending prom, Illinois students surprised Ray Svejnoha with a celebration of his own
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Published on May 26, 2026 05:02PM EDT
https://people.com/wwii-veteran-attends-first-prom-at-100-years-old-11984241
NEED TO KNOW
- WWII veteran Ray Svejnoha missed his prom after being called to military service
- Students at an Illinois high school organized a prom for him 82 years later
- Svejnoha attended the event at 100 years old and called the experience unforgettable
More than eight decades after World War II kept him from attending prom, one 100-year-old veteran finally got the celebration he missed as a teenager.
Ray Svejnoha attended his very first prom this month after students at Metea Valley High School learned he never got the chance to go during high school. According to ABC News and Naperville Community Television, Svejnoha had been called to military service before prom night arrived.
At the time, he said, there wasn’t really a decision to make.
“When it came time for his high school prom, he ‘didn’t have too much choice,’ ” Svejnoha recalled to Naperville Community Television, explaining that he had been ordered to report for duty. Before entering the military, he had taken exams for both the Navy and the Army Air Force.
The story came up while Svejnoha was spending time with students through Metea Valley’s Tech Connect club, which helps senior citizens with technology assistance. Carey Peterson, an adviser for the club, said hearing that he missed such a major milestone immediately stayed with her.
“That’s where my little lightbulb went on,” Peterson told Naperville Community Television. “I think we can help him out with that.”
Soon, a group of students came together to plan a surprise promposal for Svejnoha. They arrived with red, white and blue balloons, American flags and a handmade sign reading, “82 years late, but right on time.”
Svejnoha said the gesture caught him completely off guard. While he never thought much about missing prom over the years, he said the students’ excitement quickly became contagious.
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“After I heard them, well, I was just about as excited, too,” he told the outlet. “It was so nice of them to even think about it.”
The celebration only grew from there. According to ABC News, community sponsors helped Svejnoha prepare for the event with a haircut, manicure and tuxedo fitting before he was driven to prom in a vintage trolley decorated with balloons and streamers.
When he arrived, students greeted him with cheers and welcomed him onto the dance floor. At one point during the evening, Svejnoha took the microphone to thank everyone who made the night possible.
“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate this, and I love you all,” he said.
