North Philly Turned Out To Help This Mom Throw Her Son An Epic Dubai-Themed Prom Party Worth 25K

Prom2k17 has been one of lavish and excessive stunting, but his North Philly mom has taken the “go all out” sentiment to new heights with a 25k+ dollar send off for her son’s prom. According to BillyPenn Saudai Schuler (owner of soul food restaurant Country Cookin’ in Swampoodle, PA) spent over $25,000 to give her son, Johnny “JJ” Eden Jr, a Dubai-themed prom send off.

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“I figured, why not take everyone to Dubai,” she said, “Let them see what it’s supposed to look like.”

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And that she did! Schuler took over her entire block in Clearfield, bringing in tons of sand, having a mural commissioned, and even renting a camel! Preparation for the event took just over a week and featured three themed sets, three luxury cars ( a Lamborghini, a Range Rover and Rolls Royce), three dates in custom gowns. Her son had three costumes as well.

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“I just wanted to do something no one had ever seen before,” Shuler explained (BillyPenn.com). “You know, the funny thing about it, he didn’t even want to go to on prom,” she said about her son.

“He was like, mom you’re doing too much.”

But little did he know, his mother had been planning this event for two years already. In fact, she had made a promise to herself after suffering from a stroke, that if she made it through, she would do any and everything she could to make sure her son had the very best she could give him.

“I was messed up,” Shuler recalled. “I couldn’t walk for a year and a half. I couldn’t wipe my butt.”

According to BillyPenn Schuler has suffered a series of personal and physical setbacks in the last few years including:

  • First his father, Johnny Eden Sr., was murdered
  • she lost another baby she was carrying shortly thereafter
  • In 2007, she got hit by a car and was left with a slipped disc, which halted her business as a hairstylist.  It was then that she began selling platters of food out of her grandmother’s home.
  • Then she had stroke hit.
  • In October 2015, she had surgery for thyroid cancer.
  • After making a recovery from thyroid cancer, she started to suffer from seizures.
  • Recently, Schuler’s  doctors discovered lumps in her mouth, which could mean cancer. Her family still isn’t in the know.

After her stroke she had a moment of panic and thought to herself:

 “I’m not going to be able to see my baby’s prom.”

She vowed then that if she lived,  no one would stop her from going all out for her son’s prom and his graduation.

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Saudia Schuler is so proud of her son for overcoming dangerous circumstances, and maintaining a 3.8 GPA. She figured why not give him as huge a send off as she could? And the love people in her community have for her and her son is very apparent, with many donating their services to make this event possible. From artists to stylists, models, and even those simply willing to help serve food, this party was a community effort led by a loving mom.

Schuler is also planning one hell of a graduation celebration, too. She says she’s been planning that celebration for two years, too.

For now, Schuler is just celebrating her baby’s special time, and isn’t concerning herself with the naysayers. Social media has been a mixed bag of support and criticism, but after reading her story, some folks have changed their tune:

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What do you think? Sound off below!

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3 Comments

  1. ShawnTe Pierce says:

    I don’t quite agree with all aspects of the party but I understand her going all out for it. This woman probably did not know if she would make it to see him go to prom or graduate high school. I understand because I can see my own mother doing this back when I graduated high school and then college because when I was little she was told she wouldn’t make it to see me out of elementary school. The woman worked hard for her money and wanted to revel in her son’s accomplishments and share the fun and celebration with her community. That sounded like one heck of a block party! She made a lasting memory.

  2. Michelle G Wilson says:

    All I can say is wow. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 49 years and never seen nothing like this. 35th Street and Clearfield was packed. I hope and pray for the rest of his life he will be there for his momma because seeing this his momma is and always will be there for him. Son carry on, continue to celebrate and enjoy your college years

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