A prom date for a 'struggling world' in Clarkstown

Jordan Fenster | Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: A prom date to be proud of Stephen Kurisco took Sabrina Loughman to the prom this year.

Sabrina Loughman went to her high school prom with a smile on her face, her mom said, arm-in-arm with an athletic, good-looking young man.

“Sabrina is a great kid,” said her mother, Cathy Hunt. “I just think it’s a pretty amazing thing for her self esteem for her to be able to walk in with this boy.”

Steven Kurisco is “a big jock,” according to his mother. He plays football and lacrosse at Clarkstown South, and surfs. He’s blonde, and tall for his 16 years.

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Sabrina has Down syndrome, and was planning on attending her prom alone. That changed when her sister, Samantha, was chatting on the phone with Stephen’s sister, Victoria.

Victoria turned to Stephen and asked if he would go to the prom with Sabrina.

His mother, Kara Kurisco, said he didn’t hesitate.

“He said, ‘no problem,’” Kurisco recalled. “I said a couple weeks later, ‘I gotta go get you a tux.’”

When the day came, June 20, Stephen in his tuxedo and Sabrina in her dress complete with corsage, the Kuriscos drove the pair to Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey. They danced and, by all accounts, enjoyed the prom.

“He was a little nervous at first. But they had a nice time,” Kurisco said. “He had fun and she had a nice time.”

Both the moms thought the overall message was positive. “Be nice and respectful,” Kurisco said. “Today the world is struggling a lot for that.”

Sabrina’s mom said she wanted Stephen to be acknowledged for his simple act of kindness.

“That’s what I tell my kids. ‘Money and everything is wonderful but I just want you to be good people,’” Hunt said. “People don’t put enough emphasis on kindness and empathy. That is exactly why I wanted Stephen to be recognized.”

Still, it wasn't completely unexpected. The families have been friendly for a while.

"I had always joked with Kara when they were little that Stephen’s gonna take Sabrina to the prom," Hunt said. "This was like 10 years ago."