When your high school’s prom get cancelled, along with every other prom around the country, you throw one at home with your favorite people.

In the height of the pandemic and lockdown, Tricia Price reached out to her Woodinville neighbors on facebook asking to borrow a prom dress. Her daughter had her heart set on prom and was devastated that it wasn’t going to happen. She wanted to give her daughter a prom experience, even if it was just getting dressed up for a day and taking some photos. Offers of dresses to borrow soon emerged from neighbors. When the county moved into the next opening phase, the green light was there for a small home prom for her daughter Jayna Price and her best friend Allie Krech and their boyfriends, Aldo and Jacob, respectively. Jayna’s younger siblings also got to join in on the prom night fun. It was an unforgettable and fun night for two beautiful graduating seniors, in that way, not to different from any other prom.

Preface: When we moved to Woodinville, Wa, a few months ago, I began exploring our new community via the local facebook groups. I wanted to see what was happening and what to expect from our new small town and our neighbors. What I found was this wonderful story of a boy on the autism spectrum, his love and talent for photographing miniature cars, and an amazing community that supported him. I knew his story had to be shared and reached out to his mother to see if I could help tell his and their story.

This past Sunday, members of the Woodinville community gathered, cruised their cars, held a small car show, and presented (local-celebrity) Anthony Schmidt with, what can only be described as a dream car for a 12-year-old, a 1957 Ford Custom 300 named “Betty.”

As we waited in the parking lot of Leota Middle School for the cruising cars to arrive, the rain was coming down off and on, and suddenly the cars began to appear. I’m pretty sure Anthony heard them before the rest of us saw them. He took off down the street to watch as they rolled in. More and more cars were coming, for a brief moment I didn’t know if they were all going to fit in the parking lot. After the cars all rolled in, we waited for the grand entrance and reveal of Anthony’s car. Finally she came rolling down the street and Anthony greeted her by running towards her, his arms in the air in excitement.

As his car rolled into the parking lot it was surrounding by people who cared about Anthony and his family. Anthony climbed in and could just see over the wheel, obviously a few years away from driving Betty on his own. As the trio of him, his little brother, and his friend, climbed in and out of the car countless times I could only stand there and imagine the memories the car has already witnessed and the new memories that will be made with her as well.

It takes a community to pull off what I witnessed on Sunday. A few of those community members that must be mentioned: Greg Wilkinson (donated the Ford to Anthony); NAPA Auto Parts Woodinville employees; APC Auto Spa Woodinville; Bob & Jeanie Rash; Woodinville Cruisers Car Club members; and Rich McKee who organized the event. I know I’m new here but thank you to this wonderful community for the love and support I witnessed and photographed on Sunday. I hope to continue telling Anthony’s story through photos again in the future.

Please check out Anthony’s photography:
Instagram: @anthony_ryan_schmidt
Website: www.anthonyryanschmidt.com
Facebook fan group: Friends of Anthony Schmidt Photography