WATCH: Matawan Girl Asks Special-Needs Boy to Prom

Matawan, NJ - Matawan Regional High School senior Sarah Gerstel asked one of her classmates to prom.

But what makes this story unique is Gerstel asked Nico Schykerynec, a fellow student at Matawan who has a cognitive disorder and takes special-needs classes. Sarah knows Nico because she volunteers every Sunday with the Challenger League, a sports team for students like Nico who have disabilities, according to LittleThings.com, which originally reported the story.

Why did she ask Nico?

“I just always look forward to Sundays and hanging out with him and thought it would be really fun to go to prom with him,” Sarah told LittleThings.com.

Two of Gerstel’s friends also asked two other special-needs young men to the prom as well.

Nico was elated, and said yes right away. According to the article, Nico held back tears after she asked him.

“The kids here are very special, very kind, and accepting of our children,” his mother, AnnMarie Smith, said.

Matawan Regional’s prom will be June 11 this year. “She’s beautiful, she’s gorgeous and I’m going to dance with her at prom all night,” Nico said.

Photo: Sarah Gerstel and Nico Schykerynec in the Matawan Regional gym. (LittleThings/Simona Bua)

Credit: Originally reported by Roxy Haynes/LittleThings.com. Video created/originally published by Roxy Haynes/LittleThings.com.