This year’s senior-senior prom at Huntington High School proved to be a fun afternoon. Staged by the Grandfriends club, the event drew120 local senior citizens to the cafeteria for music, dancing, dinner and good conversation.
The club is led by co-presidents Hannah Baptiste and Sophie Dellecave, co-vice presidents Ashlyn Case and Celine Palermo, treasurer Jay Ryan Schmidtt and secretary Samantha Maixner. Suzie Biagi and Camille DeCanio are the club’s faculty advisor.
Dozens of club members spent months planning the event. The senior citizens were met at the high school’s front doors and escorted down to the cafeteria, which was festively decorated for the event. The teenagers took delight in interacting with their guests, who had several hours of fun with the younger generation.
Huntington High School teacher and professional DJ Anthony Troffa and junior Melissa Lopez Serrano once again volunteered their services and played popular tunes, keeping everyone in a lively mood and the dance floor filled. Even those who happen to be wheelchair bound were made to feel special by Grandfriends club members and they enjoyed a respite from their usual routine.
The prom dance included plenty of laughs and smiles, the crowning of a prom king and queen, stories shared and new friendships made. “It was really a wonderful afternoon,” Mrs. Biagi said. “Watching our students work to make sure everyone is having a good time is something very special.”
It was hard to tell who was having more fun; the students or their guests. Everyone interacted effortlessly and with grace and kindness. “The senior-senior prom is always the highlight of our year,” Mrs. Biagi said.
Grandfriends participates in intergenerational events throughout the year with a focus on the senior citizen community. The group raises money through afterschool bake sales and also receives some support from the business community. Want to get involved? Send a message to Mrs. Biagi at sbiagi@hufsd.edu.
