Vista Teen Surprises Sister With Quarantine Prom Amid Coronavirus

VISTA, CA — High school seniors across the country have had their final year cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. Schools have been closed, senior activities have been canceled, and graduation ceremonies have been upended.

But one high school senior in northern San Diego County didn't let the coronavirus stop him from enjoying prom — at his Vista home. Jared Bender, a senior at Vista Visions Academy, surprised his little sister, Aubree Bender, with a "quarantine prom."

"Due to all of the changes in the world with COVID-19, it was a bummer to find out that my senior festivities would be canceled," Bender said.

"I decided to take matters into my own hands and realized that though I'm not in control of the situation I'm in, I'm in control of how I deal with it," he added.

Of course, prom isn't prom without a promposal, so the 18-year-old made a sign and surprised his 14-year-old sister, while their mom caught her priceless reaction on camera.

"Shoutout to my mama for being my partner in surprise — this wouldn't have been possible without her," Bender said.

"It was so fun to surprise (my sister)," he added. "I also love that we were able to get her cute reaction on film. It brings a smile to my face every time I watch it."

Aubree, a freshman at Rancho Buena Vista High School, said she was "completely surprised and super excited" when her brother asked her to prom.

Bender, who has been making videos on YouTube since 2014 and now makes videos professionally, told Aubree he needed her to come outside to help him film a video. That's when he asked her to prom.

"I think it was very sweet of him to come up with this idea," she said.

The pair got dressed up, and their parents, Trevor and Sally Bender, took prom photos.

Their mom made them a salad and pineapple ham and rice for dinner, while they made a "Chick-fil-A-style peppermint shake" for dessert.

After dinner and dessert, they danced to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off," Journey's "Don't Stop Believin,'" Cupid's "Cupid Shuffle" and other songs on their Spotify prom playlist.

"This was super fun and very creative of Jared," Aubree said. "I loved being able to make memories as a family even though we had to stay home. It was an experience I'll never forget."

This isn't the first time the brother and sister have surprised each other during the statewide shutdown. From making breakfast to leaving kind notes, the pair have tried to make each other smile during an unprecedented time.

"To be honest, this quarantine has been refreshing in a way," Bender said. "Being able to stay home and focus on family with less distractions calling for our time and attention has allowed us to make memories and spend more time together."

Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

To make even more people smile, Bender started a movement called "Hyped on Happiness," where he posts daily challenges on Instagram to make "this world a little bit brighter," especially during the pandemic. Simple challenges have included calling a grandparent and making a meal for a family member.

And for his fellow high school seniors, Bender offered some advice.

"Though this time is rough and I know that you're all looking through old photos and wishing you could be back with friends, in every storm we have the ability to choose to complain about the weather or dance in the rain," he said. "Right now, we are in the middle of a storm that will be in the history books. Let's dance as we make history!"

Also see:

• California Coronavirus: Latest Updates On Cases, Orders, Closures
• Coronavirus In San Diego County: Latest News
• Coastal Roots Farm Offers Pay-What-You-Can Food Amid Coronavirus
• Carlsbad Company Donates Headphones To Students
• Former Camp Pendleton Marine Opens New Business Amid Coronavirus
• Legoland California Thanks Coronavirus Frontline Heroes
• San Diego Area Animal Refuge Struggles Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
• San Diego-Based Choir Covers Song To Spread Hope
• San Diego Health Care Workers Thanked With Orchids
• 'Sunshine For Seniors' Program Lifts Spirits In San Diego