Students Plan Senior Prom for Senior Citizens

Last week, 45 students from Churchill High School in Eugene, Oregon, provided a "prom" for the senior citizens who live at Churchill Estates, an assisted living center, located just across the street from Churchill High School.

I remember my Senior Prom, but I'm afraid the farthest thing from my mind at that time was doing something nice for someone else. I had picked beans that summer and put a chunk of the money away for my prom dress, which, encased in a garment bag, spent the whole school year hanging in the back of my closet. Occasionally, I brought it out to show it off to a friend, or to try it on and preen in front of the mirror.

I so looked forward to prom night.

Because of the anticipation I felt as I waited for prom night to arrive, I can understand how the residents at Churchill Estates must have felt when they found out that they, after all these years, were going to experience a prom night. Some, perhaps for the very first time.

The students, which included both juniors and seniors from the school's National Honor Society, planned the event well.

Music was provided by the Churchill Jazz Band and a group called the Downing Street Singers, all of whom are also students at Churchill High School. As the music began, corsages furnished by the students were pinned on each of the residents, and students fanned out around the room to find partners to dance with.

One young student admitted that he wasn't much of a dancer, but that he wanted to be a part of giving the residents a good time. Apparently, they succeeded as there were many glowing reports from the residents about how they felt about it.

Peggy North, one of the honored guests told of growing up during the depression of the 1930's and how people had used dancing to help them through the bad years.

Another resident was quoted as saying, "This is something we don't generally get here. It's one of the greatest things that has ever happened to us.

According to all reports, a good time was had by all.

After reading about the Senior Prom for Senior Citizens at Churchill Estates, I couldn't help thinking that maybe, just maybe, if our newspapers would print more stories on the good things kids in our communities are doing, the negative ideas some of us have about teenagers might begin to disappear.