Introduction

Instructional Model

Teacher Guide

Teacher Background

Printable Materials

Resources

Glossary

Credits

Bibliography

Standards

About the Author

Senior Citizen Prom

The Leadership Council of Hoover High School sponsors a Senior Citizen Prom each spring.

Leadership students solicit money and material donations from local businesses. They determine a theme and promote the event at local nursing homes, senior citizen organizations, and churches. Students and staff donate their time at the prom. District bus drivers transport wheelchair-bound seniors to the dance. Meals on Wheels caters the meal.

"Local seniors look forward to this event all year and really get 'decked out' for the occasion," according to Leadership Council advisor Mrs. Peggy Savage. The dance is held in the school commons. Seniors get the opportunity to get inside of the high school building and wander the halls. They experience the good side of teens and the teens get to see the fun side of seniors.

Students dress up in formal wear, wait tables, and dance with senior citizens all night long. They even get the wheelchairs out on the dance floor. Two thousand dollars worth of door prizes are given away. The oldest seniors in attendance are crowned "king" and "queen."

"Our students have so much fun and often comment that this is the best thing they have done in high school. The senior citizens give glowing reviews of the students and the entire evening. Everyone benefits from this incredible evening." states Mrs. Savage.

2002 marked Hoover's 11th year hosting the Senior Citizen Prom. In the first year, 125 senior citizens attended. This has grown to over 450!

Who says age keeps anyone from doing the limbo!   The senior citizen's prom is one example of how teens and seniors can interact postively in a community action project.

"Aging is a privilege and a societal achievement. It is also a challenge, which will impact on all aspects of 21st century society. It is a challenge that cannot be addressed by the public or private sectors in isolation: it requires joint approaches and strategies." World Health Organization, Towards Policy for Health and Aging