In a heartwarming departure from tradition, a high school senior in Addison, Texas, chose to take his two grandmothers to his first prom. Reeyan Mistry, a student at Westwood School, invited his Ba and Ma — his grandmothers from Africa and India — to be his prom dates. The two women, clad in sarees, posed for photos alongside Mistry, celebrating the decision that broke away from the norm, as reported by WFAA.
A Small School, a Big Decision
Westwood School, a small private institution, had only 17 seniors in its graduating class this year — 12 girls and five boys. Reeyan explained that his choice was simple yet emotional, as he wanted to honor the two grandmothers who have profoundly shaped his life. His mother, Trisha Mistry, recalled a childhood promise that Reeyan had made: as a child, he used to tell his grandmothers that he would take them to the prom dance.
Preparations and Family Support
Trisha Mistry described the preparations the two grandmothers undertook for the special day. "They got their hair done, makeup, nails done. I felt like I have two daughters," she told WFAA. The family wholeheartedly supported Reeyan's decision, with Trisha emphasizing that her son was raised by a village. "He's not only raised by me, he's raised by a village. The days I couldn't watch them, [his grandmas] were there," she said.
Reeyan expressed his gratitude, stating, "I'm having fun with my grandmas. This is my way of expressing my gratitude for everything my grandmas did for me." His parents, Jignesh 'Jay' Mistry and Trisha Mistry, also attended the prom event, making it a true family affair.
School Applauds the Gesture
Head of School Heather Lourcey praised Reeyan's thoughtfulness, noting, "We definitely could use more Reeyans." The school celebrated the decision, which highlighted the importance of family and gratitude over traditional prom norms.
This story serves as a reminder that sometimes the most memorable moments come from breaking away from convention and honoring those who have supported us the most.
