Aging Together: Seniors get to relive their prom experience

Twinkling lights lined the school gymnasium. Dance music pulsed. The ladies were dressed in their finest, the men freshly shaved, with some even sporting cumberbunds. Punch was flowing and couples swayed together on the dance floor. It had all the makings of a typical senior program. Except this wasn’t necessarily a typical group of seniors.

The Senior Prom hosted by the Healthy Culpeper Senior Adult Committee of Aging Together featured dancing to Glenn Miller, the Macarena and a rollicking conga line too. Couples received corsages and boutonnieres at the door and posed for pictures under the decorated trellis.

Folks 50 and older from throughout the region flocked to Floyd T. Binns School on May 9 for an afternoon of fun and reminiscing.

It didn’t matter if you came with a partner or not. Students from the JROTC program and the Culpeper Cotillion made sure everyone was on the dance floor. Pastor Brad Hales of the Reformation Lutheran Church and his daughters were stars among the dancers but several prom couples proved they still had the moves. Karl Karch and his staff from HomeInstead appeared to never sit down and burned up the dance floor from the electric slide to the twist.

Aging Together County Resource Specialist Jenny Biche talked about why this prom was so important to the committee.

“We had heard from the community that seniors would like to have more opportunities for social activities. We wanted to provide them with an event that wouldn’t cost them anything, and would give them a chance to get together with their friends and have some fun. Seniors do so much for our community through their volunteerism and sharing of knowledge and expertise. We just wanted to give them something back and let them know that we value them in our community. Once we started planning the process seemed to take on a life of its own with a number of people and organizations asking to be a part of the festivities.”

As with all proms, a king and queen were selected from among those in attendance. This time however they were chosen from a random drawing. Prom King Frank Somers and Queen Ruthie Partlow were decorated with regal crowns and reigned from their seats on the podium when not dancing together throughout the afternoon.

There was a dance contest and multiple door prizes. The most senior seniors were recognized, the oldest being 93 years young. Food was plentiful. Special thanks to local DJ, Wayne Grimsley, who donated his services and provided wonderful music that spanned the decades.

All in all the afternoon was a success for all who attended. Over 100 people spent the afternoon in the dreamy atmosphere created by the prom committee and everyone left with a smile. As she dragged the last of the decorations out from the gym, Aging Together partnership member Valarie Diamond said “We couldn’t have wished for a better outcome. Every comment from our seniors echoed the same reframe. ‘We can’t wait for next year, this was such great fun.’ The entire team feels the same.” 

This article is part of series by the Culpeper County Team of Aging Together, working to support the county’s older citizens. The team meets 10 a.m. the first Thursday every month. For more information call Jenny Biche at 540) 825-7615 ext 2225 or visit the website at agingtogether.org