Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LAYTON — A Layton High School junior-class prom queen says she'll never forget her big weekend — but the best part about it was something she never could have anticipated.
"They announced that my dad was here, and I was shocked and I just didn't know what to do," said Sabrina Newman, who had just been crowned prom queen. "And he tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and there he was."
Newman's dad, Randall, has been serving as a major in the U.S. Army for nearly two years. He took leave this weekend to escort his daughter during her crowning moment, and the family got it on camera.
"I was just like in awe — shocked," Sabrina said. "I didn't really believe it at first. I just tried to tell myself not to cry because I didn't want mascara running down, but it was useless. I was super excited seeing him. He just gave me a big hug and said, ‘It's good to see you.'"
Sabrina's mother, Drueanna, worked with Layton High School to keep the visit a surprise. Newman said her husband's service has forced him to watch Sabrina's high school years from afar.
"Just having everyone in that stadium stand up and clap for him and you know, showing their patriotism, it just touched my heart so much," she said. "With him being gone next year and missing out on her graduation, we just thought it was important to get him here."
Sabrina said memories of this experience will help during difficult times when her father is away.
"It's awful," she said. "You don't have that dad there to go to when you need help. It's hard. It's definitely a different experience."
Sabrina's father is in Kansas right now and will head to Afghanistan for another nine months.
