For the first time in five years, BHS has once again hosted the Intergenerational Prom on Friday, May 3rd, and it was a smashing success. Student volunteers belonging to Key Club, Mr. Kaplan, and parent volunteers spent months preparing for this awesome event, to make it the best it could be. Students worked for hours beforehand to transform the BHS cafeteria into a Hollywood-themed prom. Tables were decorated, picture booths were set up, the red carpet was unrolled, the DJ got ready, and the food was prepared.
Senior citizens started arriving at the school at around 5:30 and were escorted in by students leading them to the entryway red carpet. The seniors were then able to find their seats and mingle with other friends and students. The students worked to gather appetizers from the kitchen and go around offering to every table. Chicken fingers, pizza, cheese, meats, and beverages were all offered for starters.
Student volunteers had a great time serving and getting to know the senior citizens. Sophia Fazel ‘26 said, “I had such an amazing time and it was a great way to give back to the community while having so much fun. I hope I can experience something like this when I’m older.”
Next, salads and the main course were brought around to all the seniors. As they enjoyed their meals at the tables talking to their friends, students walked around to mingle with them. After that, the dance floor finally started pumping! The DJ put on some catchy songs like “Cupid Shuffle” and “Macarena” to get everyone involved.
With the help of students easing them into it many senior citizens began to join in on the dancefloor fun. Many songs such as “Dancing Queen” and “Come and Get Your Love” were hit on the dance floor and got many people involved, and of course, the conga line formed!
Some seniors loved the spotlight and were always in the middle of the dancing circles, pulling students in to dance with them. Others stayed more on the outside of the dance floor and some just stayed seated and enjoyed the music.
After some dancing, seniors were seated waiting for the main event to begin: the election of the Prom King and Queen. Before the results were revealed, a wide variety of sweets were offered for dessert, such as baked goods, ice cream, and coffee. Bidding was then announced and seniors brought home some great prizes. Finally, two senior citizens who brought the fun that night were elected as the King and Queen that night, and were presented with crowns and flowers.
The 2024 Intergenerational Prom was a huge success and both the seniors and the students had a great time. The school hopes to continue this tradition in the future in hopes of giving back to the community and giving the senior citizens a fun night.
Mr Kaplan, Key Club advisor and organizer of the event says, “We are already planning to make next year’s Intergenerational Prom even more phenomenal than this year’s (if that’s even possible!).”
