Proms, by their nature, are special events. The anticipation. The shopping. The primping. The seemingly endless photo sessions with mom and dad. Dinner. And that’s all before you make it to the dance.
For C.J. Louisell, this year’s prom at Notre Dame High School was extra special. Louisell graduated from the school in 1957 when it was on Eighth Street. He only attended this year’s prom for one song, but it meant a great deal to him because he was able to share a dance with his granddaughter, Connor Louisell, a senior and third-generation ND student.
“I tell people, depending on how you look at it, she might be considered fourth generation since my dad was assistant football coach there in 1941 under “Boots” Payne,” Louisell said. “My wife (Edith) taught math there from 1979 to 1987.”
The fact Louisell was able to attend the prom two weeks ago is what makes this night so special for him. Eleven years ago, he suffered kidney failure and started dialysis.
“At first, I had this ‘why me’ attitude, and I assumed I wouldn’t live very long,” he said. “However, after a few months, I started feeling better and decided to give myself short-term goals for my life. The first was to live at least five years, which is the average life expectancy after starting dialysis. Of course, that includes those who have various other serious ailments along with the more healthy like me.”