This year’s senior-senior prom at Huntington High School proved to be a fun afternoon. Staged by the Grandfriends club, the event drew 136 local senior citizens to the cafeteria for music, dancing, dinner and plenty of good conversation.
The club is led by President Jay Ryan Schmitt, Vice President Samantha Maximer, Treasurer Shaye O’Beirne and Historian Ashlyn Case. Suzi 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.
This year’s prom took on a ‘50’s theme and many of the prom-goers came dressed for the decade. The menu included various tasty Italian delicacies, which seemed to address everyone’s appetite. No complaints were heard.
Huntington High School teacher and professional DJ Anthony Troffa once again volunteered his 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 a really wonderful afternoon,” Mrs. Biagi said. “Watching our students work to make sure everyone is having a good time is something very special.”
For the second consecutive year, Salvatore Damasco was crowned the prom king. Maria Quinn Scimeca was named the prom queen. The pair enjoyed a quick spin on the dance floor.
“There was fun, fun and fun,” Mrs. Biagi said. “Our club members decorated the cafeteria in a soda shop décor with records hanging from the ceiling.” Students carried refreshments to their guests on a tray. The teenagers took turns dancing with the senior citizens and spent time talking to them, too.
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 the year for the Grandfriends club,” Mrs. Biagi said. Club members fundraised to cover all the costs associated with the event.
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.
