Grandfriends Visit Sunrise of Huntington for Holidays

The Huntington High School Grandfriends club trip to the Sunrise of Huntington senior living complex on West Hills Road was filled with love and holiday best wishes all the way around.

The Grandfriends club members in the Sunrise of Huntington lobby.

Sunrise residents referred to the Huntington students as “13 singing angels” and they weren’t wrong. These teenagers made the trip during a very busy time of year because they really do care about their elders. They filled Sunrise of Huntington with song.

Carols included all the usual favorites from Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer to Silent Night. “A dancing dreidel with awesome elf moves entertained the crowd of  30 or so residents and their families during our now annual holiday outing to Sunrise,” said Huntington business teacher Suzi Biagi who serves as the Grandfriends faculty co-advisor along with physical education teacher Lauren Blackburn. “It was so endearing to see and hear people singing and laughing and smiling. Dancing in their seats as they watched our Grandfriends sing their hearts out. Residents no longer able to read or recall the words all of a sudden were singing the all-time favorites right along with our sweet, sweet club members.”

Ms. Biagi said the “best Christmas surprise of all” came with the students and advisors met two Blue Devil alums in Marsha Specht and Catherine Annunziata Weil, Huntington graduates from the 1940s and 1950s.

“Dottie Klein, a retired Huntington High School teacher was also on hand,” Ms. Biagi said. “Happy tears flowed as people reminisced and shared their stories about past Christmas celebrations. It was a heart-warming magical event for the residents and their young Grandfriends.”

Special Education Coordinator Dr. Erica Murphy-Jessen also joined in the fun, accompanying the club members and faculty advisors.

Planning has commenced for the Grandfriends’ Valentine’s Day initiative as well as its annual senior-senior prom, which has been a hit for many years.

“Happy holidays to everyone from the Huntington High School Grandfriends,” Ms. Biagi said.