A Group of Fortuna High Students Got a Prom Dinner They Will Never Forget Courtesy of a Stranger
Everyone in the photo (but the center couple in red dress and tie who went elsewhere) were given a free dinner in return for a small request. [Photo by Sandi Petersen Photography]
Kim Emmons, Fortuna High parent, said when her daughter, McKenzie, came home after the dance, she said, “You’ll never believe what happened, Mom. This man paid for our dinner. The waiter told us we should order whatever we wanted.”
According to the waiter, there was one stipulation though…everyone needed to stay off their phones. So…the kids gave the waiter their phones. He placed them on a tray and took the devices away.
McKenzie [Photo by Sandi Petersen Photography]
Throughout the dinner, the prom goers looked around the room filled with other prom dates and those just enjoying a Saturday dinner out wondering who their secret benefactor was. They chatted and laughed having a wonderful time, according to Emmons. “My daughter said that the dinner was amazing, too.”
“I think it was neat because they were able to create memories instead of looking at their phones,” Emmons told us.
After the dinner, Emmons explained, a nice older gentleman came to the students’ table and told them “he thought they were a beautiful group and it reminded him of when he was young” which is why he had purchased their meals.
To this day, the students and their parents have no idea who he was.
“This is something they will always remember,” Emmons said. “I don’t think that man realizes how much of an impact that was on those kids. And, all of us parents.”
Emmons posted about the special dinner on Facebook ending her post with…”Thank you to the gentleman that not only paid for their dinner, but taught them you can have a really good time without technology.”
Three of the girls including McKenzie in the middle. [Photo by Sandi Petersen]
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Great Story!
hes a perv….end of story.
You’re just rude
What a sad life. Trying to ruin a rare good story, wow. Sorry for you.
Anothercop~I so agree!
To ;old perv myself thank you~ first off if you are wanting to put your dark soul and this man who already adds more to our community than I’m sure u cud even imagine in your old perverted mind. But if u are going to put the both of you into same category than I think I will check back here to let you know when you can buy a young group of kids all of their dinners and you can even ask the same out of them. Which coincidently is a very difficult way to get your perv self off. You are no doubt a mean arrogant lonely &miserable man.[edit] I really hope you got the obvious satisfaction you need from this mindset. I pray for you for you are a very sad and miserable soul. I’m sorry for whatever hurt you to lead you to this type of thing for your soul to be happy
i bet you stomp on Easter Eggs too
🕯🌳They didn’t think I was.
I think no phones at the table should be one of the always rules in all homes. On our busy days, our family of five, enjoys dinner every day without technology, and is the only moment we have to catch up on what’s going on, how was our day at work or school, what’s for next day, etc. it’s make me sad that older generations see that new generations are so into their phones, even when they are together, having dinner and when they supposed to have fun. But, I can also praise that man for being so kind and generous and show the kids that life can still go even without phones. Good for everyone!
I LOVE this story 💝 Thank you for sharing & teaching us all! Thank you to the generous stranger who has now impacted so many lives!
Made my day!!
What a great story! These are all good kids. Thank you to wonderful man who made a difference, kindness matters.
Nice story and even nicer guy!
I was recently in a Chick-Fil-A and we got a free cone for putting our phones away for our meal. The same thing happened. My two grown daughters, one son-in-law and me had a great conversation!
Great story, and much needed to get the kids off of the phones!!
Thank you.
Wow. What a fabulous story and a fabulous person! And what a treat to see a table full of kids with no cellphones. I haven’t seen that ever.
♡ I love this!
See I told you there are angels in the world they come in many forms. What a generous kind thing for that man to do. What a great lesson to the kids. Thank you to this wonderful person
It’s great what the charitable and wise stranger did, but horribly concerning that such an act is necessary these days. Taking your phone out at the table is still considered extremely rude amongst my friends and family.
what lovely young people!! congratulations on the next chapter of your lives XO
I love this too ! I think it’s such a great reminder:. Live in the moment. Look people in the eye. Cherish your family and friends —-Talk to people gathered around you. 💓
I will buy everyone breakfast who puts their phone in the glove box while driving!
I’m in! Where ya gonna be?
My fiancé bought dinner for two couples last year at prom at DD’s. He remained annomous. He bought their dinner because they weren’t on their phones and it was just fulfilling to see teens not consumed by technology. What a wonderful thing for this man to do! Warmed my heart.
Great story!! This warmed my heart!
What a beautiful story and a lovely gesture. We need people to put their phones away more often. Thank you to the kind gentlemen for his sweet gesture
This is the kind of story I love to see…A big thank you to the generous soul who treated them to dinner.
Some posters just don’t get it. The guy gave a nice thought provoking gift. Kudos to him. We could all do something nice everyday. It’s called Random Acts of Kindness. What a better world this would be if we would treat everyone better rather than always trying to suppress the less fortunate to make ourselves feel better. Many times the smallest act can make the person feel better and the giver also. We can all do better with our lives by giving. Sure some people will take advantage of us, but if one person thanks us for our kindness the ones who take advantage become meaningless.
What a lovely story.
Wow, what a kind man to not only treat these kiddos to a wonderful dinner, but to help them realize that there is such joy in this world with out technology.
I know a family that is raising their kids with zero screen time at young ages. Their kids are articulate, talented and focused in ways that screen dwelling kids just aren’t. One of them at age 8 wanted to play an instrument, so he took lessons and worked for and saved his money and then paid for his instrument at age 10. Now he is an up and coming child prodigy on his instrument.
Ditch the screens, kids.
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Who in the hell would have their phone out during a prom dinner? The price of all those dinners would be worth it if it teaches them some manners.
Wow there is kindness in the world I still have hope for Humanity! 🌹❤🌹❤
This story was featured on the Good News Network today. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/
Every time I go to a restaurant more than 50% of people are on there cell phones if I did that when I was younger I would be excused with out e4ating and maybe worse! you can not talk sense when on phone with someone else! I have a cell phone only used for business or emergency.