SENIOR PROM SUCCESS

By SAMANTHA CROUCH

On Sunday, April 29, the Washingtonville High School gymnasium was festively decorated with giant playing cards, casino tokens and balloons.  Senior citizens and high school students alike danced together as they enjoyed the annual Senior Citizen Prom hosted by the National Honor Society.  As some enjoyed their food, others were lined up for the photo booth while there was a constant crowd on the dance floor.   While the event may seem like all fun and games, there were months of behind the scene work that went into ensuring it would run smoothly.  

SAMANTHA CROUCH FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

The Senior Citizen Prom started about ten years ago by NHS officers who wanted to leave their legacy at their beloved high school.  They decided that a prom for the senior citizens in the community would do just that.  Since then, the event has grown and come to be one of the most highly anticipated events for both members of the National Honor Society and the seniors of the community.  The event is funded by money raised by the Honor Society throughout the year.  From pie sales to asking local businesses for donations, their members work tirelessly to make the event a success.  

This year NHS members worked to decorate the gym and capture a very creative Vegas theme.  The day before the event started, students were already working on decorating the gym.  The lights that were hung from the ceiling certainly added to the overall scene and, as NHS officer Ryan Waaland stated, “set the mood.”  Students worked from three thirty to seven and again the next day starting at two thirty for the event that started at four.  Abby Evans, president of the National Honor Society said that, “My favorite part was watching all of the NHS members talking and dancing with the senior citizens and the smiles it brought them.”  Looking around the room, the smiles all around were apparent.

One of the best parts of the event each year is when the prom king and queen are crowned.  This year it was Phil and Ann Fowler.  It was an extremely touching moment because as they were crowned, the DJ started to play the couple’s wedding song.  As the song filled the room, Phil wiped away a tear. There were murmurs coming from students around the room, all stating different variations of the same idea: one day they want “a love like that.”  Their dance together was a moment that was not just any regular dance, but a standout moment from years past as well.  

All in all, the event was a success.  The songs got the students and guests on their feet as throwback songs, such as The Twist, It’s Raining Men, and fittingly enough, the last slow song of the night, At Last by Etta James.  As couples danced in the gym, it was obvious that the hard work and dedication that went into planning the event created a success far beyond what anyone had previously imagined.