Grandfriends Senior, Senior Prom Planned for May 6
Senior citizens get excited just like everyone else and it's with a sense of joyful expectation that the day is inching closer for the Huntington High School GrandFriends' Senior, Senior Prom.
This year's extravaganza will be held at the school on Friday, May 6 from 4-6 p.m. To reserve a seat, call faculty advisor Suzie Biagi at 673-2001 by Friday, April 15. There is no formal charge for the affair but for those so inclined there is a suggested donation of $3 per person.
Hot food and dessert will be served, prizes will be distributed and there will even be the traditional crowning of a prom king and queen, along with plenty of dancing for those who choose to partake in that time-honored prom activity.
Some participants, who might not be up for dancing, will still be able to enjoy having a little bit of time away from home and have an opportunity to chat with friends or the teenagers that are eager to cater to them..
This marks the 17th year the group will host the Senior, Senior Prom. Members of Huntington High School's student government will also assist at the event, which continues to attract a large crowd from throughout the area. Last year 172 senior citizens participated while 149 turned out a year earlier and 173 were in attendance in 2008. This year's event is limited to 200.
The nominal $3 suggested cover charge is kept low due to extensive fundraising by students and generous contributions from Astoria Federal Savings Bank and the Huntington Rotary Club. (Contributions are gratefully accepted, but not required by those attending.)
The dance is open to any senior citizen in the community. The high school, which is located at the intersection of Oakwood and McKay Roads, is completely handicapped accessible. Interested seniors citizens are encouraged to bring a friend. Those making reservations are asked to provide their name, phone number and the number of guests in their party.
On prom day, no one should leave at home their dancing shoes. A D.J. will be on hand playing music that's sure to be popular with prom-goers. The school's large cafeteria will be festively decorated.
Several dozen students are participating in the Interact-GrandsFriends club this year. GrandFriends is an intergenerational program in which both senior citizens and teenagers develop an enriched relationship. It also serves to bridge the generation gap. Huntington High School GrandFriends accomplish this through visits to local senior citizen centers and satellite facilities.
Mrs. Biagi and retired high school librarian Camille DeCanio are co-faculty advisors of the group, which also visits nursing homes and assisted living residences. The visits include a variety of activities such as board games, baking, crafts, reading books and magazines, letter writing and just talking, listening and laughing.
The GrandFriends host social events and perform various related community-oriented activities. The grand finale of each year is the Senior, Senior Prom. It traditionally attracts senior citizens from across Long Island. The group meets at the school several times a month to plan activities.
Contact Mrs. Biagi (sbiagi@hufsd.edu) for more information.