Tragedy is no stranger to prom night.

Every year teens lose their lives in accidents that occur after their high school prom.

What should be a night of wonderful memories too often turns into a night of despair.

"The story is almost always the same," said Teresa Colvin, Troy Public Library Teen Board advisor. "Alcohol is often involved. A special group of teens in Troy wanted to make sure that nothing like that happens to their friends so they did something about it. They created a program called 'Prom and Circumstance.'"

This year the Teen Board will host its second annual "Prom and Circumstance" program at 7 p.m April 3, at the Adams Student Center Theater on the campus of Troy State University."

"The program will give students a sneak-peek at this year's hottest fashions as

we present three different fashion shows,"Colvin said. "We will have several outstanding speakers including Theron Forshee of The S.T.E.P. Foundation."

Colvin said many people are familiar with The S.T.E.P. Foundation.

"S.T.E.P. is the acronym for 'Strategies to Elevate People,' and Theron Forshee is the Foundation's Abstinence Coach," Colvin said. "As America's first abstinence coach, Theron trains young people how to abstain from drugs, alcohol, violence and sex before marriage."

He is the founder of H.O.O.P.S. (Helping Others Obtain Personal Salvation) and played college basketball at Phillips College where he was defensive player of the year and a member of the N.A.I.A. National Tournament team. He also played on the National Junior Olympics Basketball Team and plays NBA Summer.League Basketball.

Colvin said Steven Salter of the AIM (Abstinence in Motion) project will also be a featured speaker. Salter will talk to the teens on the subject of dating etiquette.

"Pike County District Attorney Gary McAlliley will be on hand to deliver a fun and informative program based on one simple idea - making prom night an event you'll always remember," Colvin said.

Area merchants have donated door prizes that will help to make prom night very special. Donations's include free tux rental from Goody's, gift certificates for prom flowers from Jean's Flowers and Maxine's, dinner gift certificates from The Pines, Brittany's, Buffalo's American Grill, and The Half Shell. Domino's Pizza donated nine gift certificates and Julie's and Cathi's Closet also donated door prizes.

"We expect to have other door prizes donated and anyone who receives a door prize will have a very nice gift," Colvin said.

Goody's Cathi's Closet and Oliver's Shoes will be the merchants participating in the fashion portion of the program.

Prom and Circumstance is free to all area teens and is sponsored by the Troy Public Library and the AIM Project.

"I would like to encourage all teens to make plans now to attend Prom and Circumstance just as they are making plans to attend their school proms," Colvin said. "The program will last about an hour and a half and will be a lot of fun. The information provided will help teens to make the right choices

for a fun and safe prom night."