A prom queen holds court - St. Petersburg Times

ST. PETERSBURG — Under the harsh hospital lights in Room No. 9, a make-up artist wearing a paper mask brushed mascara onto Stacey Karavokiros' long lashes. A stylist curled her dark hair into loose ringlets. Her mom clipped a rhinestone bracelet around her left wrist.

"Okay," her mom, Irene, said just before 7 p.m. Saturday. "It's time for the dress." She helped Stacey out of her green hospital gown, into the flowing red dress that had been made especially for her. Then she eased her daughter into a wheelchair, untangled four lines from the IV pole, and opened the door.

Her younger sister sobbed. Her little brother took pictures. "Oh my gosh!" "Beautiful!" "Just look at her!" cried a dozen doctors and nurses as her mom rolled her down the hall.

Stacey, 17, was supposed to go to her prom Saturday night. But the Tarpon Springs High senior was too sick to leave All Children's Hospital. Two weeks ago, her body started rejecting her heart — the second one she's had transplanted. Her kidneys and lungs are suffering from all the medicines. Doctors don't know when she'll be able to leave.

So Saturday night, a party bus pulled up in front of the hospital and 22 teenagers spilled out. Dressed in dark suits and evening gowns, with roses pinned to their chests, they filed into a conference room where a woman with a badge was waiting with hand sanitizer. "Welcome! Thank you for coming!" she called. "Please, everybody, wash your hands."

Since Stacey couldn't go to the prom, the prom came to her. Hospital workers hung two disco balls in the conference room; a DJ volunteered to come spin tunes; a caterer donated chicken fingers and pasta salad, a fruit tray and enormous cake.

Her classmates canceled their dinner reservations at Harborview Center in Clearwater so they could share at least part of their evening with Stacey.

Her date, who decided he didn't want to go to the prom alone, came to the hospital too. "Prom is about being with your friends," said Kaliope Hatzileris, 18. "So of course we all wanted to be here with her."

Stacey had to wear a mask. Monitors blinked and buzzed behind her head. But once she was in the conference room, she stood up slowly and shoved aside her wheelchair.

"I just can't believe they all came out here for me," Stacey said, her eyes welling. "I just don't want to see them all go."

Then the DJ put on a Greek song, and everyone locked arms in a circle, and Stacey's mom dragged the IV pole behind her. And, for a few minutes at least, Stacey got to dance at her prom.

Comments on this article

by Kosta	May 13, 2008 3:46 PM
That was very nice of all of Stacey's friends to come out and do that for her. Very thoughtful and unselfish. Stacey I dont know you or your family, but I promise you that you will all be in my prayers, everytime I pray. O theos mazi sou...

by JOHANNA	May 13, 2008 9:23 AM
That is what TRUE friendship and love is all about. Sehareteria, that is a memory everone will cherish and talk about for the rest of there lives. Stacey, "Panagitsa brosta sou", you are beautiful. Get well soon!

by NICK-ATHINA	May 12, 2008 5:40 PM
YOUR COURAGE IS A LESSON TO ALL OF US .ALL KALYMNIANS SEND YOU THEIR LOVE AND PRAY TO VIRGIN MARY AND SAINT SAVVAS THAT YOU COME BACK TO US IN GOOD HEALTH .

by Mikala	May 12, 2008 3:02 PM
This story is awesome. You made it a memorable moment for her. God bless!!

by Donna	May 12, 2008 12:52 PM
How touching, thankyou to all the people that put this memorable event together for this young lady.I hope and pray for her body's healing and returning good health. God Bless you all.

by Popi	May 12, 2008 12:11 PM
Spending prom with Stacey is exactly were we all wanted to be. Being there with her laughing and taking pictures made it the best prom ever. We hope you get better soon Stavroula mou!! WE LOVE YOU!!!! by the way..the dress..BEAUTIFUL!!!

by mike	May 12, 2008 12:10 PM
Get better soon ! Excellent story great kids !

by Linda	May 12, 2008 12:10 PM
Warms your heart too know that there are still sensitive teenagers. Get well Stacy.....We are all praying for you!

by Linda	May 12, 2008 11:50 AM
Warms my heart to know these young people remembered their friend and made a wonderful happening for her!!!

by Me	May 12, 2008 11:50 AM
Stacey, you are in my thoughts and prayers, get well soon! I think it is really awesome that your friends came to see you, never forget them!

by Irene	May 12, 2008 11:50 AM
Thank you to all of our kids, thank you to All Children's Hospital, thank you to the St.Pete Times!!! Thank you to ALL who gave my child the strength and the courage to continue fighting. Thank you, thank you, ...Efharisto!!! God Bless You All!! Stacey's mom

by reader	May 12, 2008 11:32 AM
nice story, thanks!

by Libby	May 12, 2008 10:52 AM
What awesome friends to sacrifice their prom to have it with her. Kudos to them for being there for their friend. She will remember that forever.

by Jon	May 12, 2008 10:52 AM
Well done, Tarpon Springs High students, well done!

by Nomiki	May 12, 2008 9:37 AM
I'm so glad my friends and I got to go and see my best friend Stacey. She's truely a miracle and there's no where else any of us would have rather been then standing there by her side. God bless her and everyone else that came! She deserved it.

by whitney	May 12, 2008 9:35 AM
not may stories in this paper bring a tear to my eye. This one made me cry so much my boyfriend thought something happened to me...God bless her and her family and friends

by Mickee	May 12, 2008 9:35 AM
No better article for Mothers day, wish these kids were in the oval office right now as they certainly would have this country in better shape then the current administration...

by Brandon72	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
With all the stories about kids getting in trouble, this story was truly heart warming. Kids being unselfish for a change what a beautiful thing. God Bless all of you. It gives us hope that there are still good kids around.

by shelby	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
thats so cool.my best friends sister goes to tarpon high. good luck to stacey

by by Lu	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
Stacey, you look stunning in your dress. You & your friends glow with the healing power of love. May wisdom guide your Doctors & may courage empower you with strength for whatever lies ahead.May your prom bring many smiles.Much Love & Warm Support

by Sia	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
Bravo Stacey, family and friends. You are beautiful and an inspiration to all! May God bless you and heal you. Mrs. Prive

by Donna	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
Twenty years from now these kids can say they remember prom night as the time they made Stacey feel better. It is so much more impressive than a limo ride or fancy dinner. Good luck Stacey and thanks doctors.

by Michael	May 11, 2008 8:32 PM
A great story indeed! What a way to make a teen feel special (and she is ust that) and to be able to have memories that will last a LONG and HEALTHY lifetime. I am happy for her, the family, and proud of all of her friends.

by Betty	May 11, 2008 8:31 PM
I am so happy that you were able to wear your beautiful gown and enjoy the prom with your classmates. You are truly loved by all. May God Bless You.

by June	May 11, 2008 8:31 PM
This story warmed my heart. Obviously, these teens were raised to treasure friends and friendships. My best wishes to Stacey.

by Joan	May 11, 2008 8:31 PM
These are beautiful young adults, and the future of our country is in GOOD Hands. It is so refreshing to hear about these great youngters.God bless them.

by Zander	May 11, 2008 8:31 PM
What a wonderful, uplifting story! Kudos to everyone who made this possible. Get well soon, Stacey!

by Tami	May 11, 2008 1:42 PM
That is awesome and very touching! Best of luck to you Stacey!!

by Lyn	May 11, 2008 1:37 PM
KUDOS to all the classmates who did NOT foeget her, on that special night! I knew ALL Childrens would pull off something for her, they never forget a child! By the way, the dress and you gorgeous!

by Matt	May 11, 2008 1:37 PM
Read an article earlier this week about her not being able to go to her prom - whoever initiated the trip to the hospital deserves all our respect. Great kids, going to the hospital instead of to Harborview.

by Laura	May 11, 2008 1:34 PM
What a wonderful story. God bless those friends who put their own needs aside to help make a friend feel loved in such a difficult time.

by BILL	May 11, 2008 1:33 PM
WELL DONE KIDS! WITH KIDS LIKE YOU AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT CENTRAL WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, I FEEL BETTER ABOUT OUR COUNTRY1

by Linda of GA	May 11, 2008 1:30 PM
This is so beautiful! Thank you, God, Stacey will have memories of her prom!!!

by Robert	May 11, 2008 1:18 PM
This is what true friendship is all about. It is nice that they were able to bring the prom to Stacey. This goes to show that genuine people are still left in this world and our young people still believe in peace, love and unity.

by April	May 11, 2008 1:18 PM
That is so sweet that they did that for her. God bless Stacey and her family.