Grandfriends’ Senior Prom for Senior Citizens a Hit

It’s been a typically busy year for Huntington High School Grandfriends club members, with regular bake sales to raise monies to fund the organization’s activities, especially its annual culminating event; the “senior prom” for senior citizens residing at Sunrise Senior Living in South Huntington.

About 100 senior citizens joined Grandfriends club members and faculty advisors and the Sunrise staff, who generously offered their facility complete with the site’s master chef. It all came together to produce a “most spectacular event for local senior citizens,” said Suzi Biagi, a Huntington High School business teacher and longtime Grandfriends faculty advisor.

This year‘s theme was “The Red Carpet.” Attendees dressed for the occasion in their long glittery gowns, hair updos and gorgeous make up and came ready to dance.

Musicians Rob and Patty Meade made fantastic music together. In addition to the dancing, guests decorated and personalized Gold Stars for their homes to commemorate the evening, along with picking a prom king and queen, who shared a dance along with a peck on the cheek.

“Oscar’s trophies were given out in categories ranging from Best Dressed and Best Dancer to Most Friendliest and Nicest Smile,” said Ms. Biagi. “The weather was gorgeous this year. Guests had the choice of dining inside or out in the sunshine at elaborately decorated tables, enjoying a sumptuous five course meal.”

Some of the guests have added the dance for many years, remembering when it was held at Huntington High School.

“This dance takes a great deal of planning,” said physical education teacher Lauren Blackburn, who serves as Grandfriends co-faculty advisor along with Ms. Biagi. “The committee had been meeting regularly, deciding first on a theme and then designing the invitation and decor as well as hosting a corsage making party and even figuring out a red carpet photo booth system. Everyone agreed that the event was perfect.”

Senior Victoria Befumo deftly coordinated the red carpet photo booth and it proved to be a crowd favorite. The photographs will be printed and delivered to the party-goers.

“No one left without a smile,” Ms. Biagi said. “The student hosts outdid themselves.” Ms. Biagi and Ms. Blackburn were joined by special education chairman Dr. Erika Jessen-Murphy and United Amigos club members and their faculty advisor Rosario Lorenzana.

“All in all there were 14 young people ranging from freshmen to seniors being the perfect hosts and hostesses,” Ms. Biagi said.

Grandfriends work all year raising monies and spending it on initiatives benefitting and raising the spirits of local senior citizens. Some of the events include a Halloween costume parade, Thanksgiving basket giveaway, Christmas cards for veterans local senior citizens, St. Patrick’s Day tea and the senior-senior prom, which celebrated its 30th year in 2023.

“Seniors and co-vice presidents Markella Markotsis and Renee McKean are leaving the club in good hands,” Ms. Biagi said. “They are hoping to be back next year from college in time to join the festivities once again, but no worries, an enthusiastic group of underclassmen plan on carrying on the tradition of making enjoyable memories for local senior citizens in our community. Great job, Huntington High School GrandFriends. We could not be more proud of you.”