Grandfriends Senior, Senior Prom Planned for May 3

Attention all Huntington area senior citizens: Get your calendars out and pencil in the senior, senior prom scheduled for the Huntington High School cafeteria on Friday, May 3. With food, dancing, prizes and plenty of conversation, it promises to be an awful lot of fun.

The annual event is sponsored by the high school’s Interact-GrandFriends and A World of Difference clubs. The prom will run from 4-6 p.m. There is no formal charge for the affair, but for those so inclined there is a suggested donation of $3 per person. To reserve a seat, call faculty advisor Suzie Biagi at sbiagi@hufsd.edu or (631) 673-2001 by Friday, April 15.

Hot food and dessert will be served, prizes will be awarded and a prom king and queen will be crowned. There will also be dancing, dancing and more dancing for those who choose to participate in that traditional prom activity. Last year’s event attracted folks of all ages. The crowd appeared to have a good time with some even asking for the date of the 2013 prom a year in advance.

A DJ will be on hand to spin all the favorite tunes of prom-goers, including an ample supply of Frank Sinatra songs. Huntington High School’s a cappella chorus will perform and is sure to impress. The large cafeteria will be festively decorated for the special occasion.

Prom-goers who might not be up for dancing, will still be able to enjoy having an afternoon away and an opportunity to chat with friends or with the Huntington teenagers who are so eager to cater to the seasoned adults’ every whim.

This marks the 20th year Interact-GrandFriends will host the senior, senior prom, which continues to attract a large crowd from throughout the area. Last year’s event drew 150 senior citizens while 148 came in 2011, 172 turned out in 2010 and149 participated in 2009. The 2008 prom attracted a crowd of 173. This year’s event is limited to the first 200 who RSVP.

The nominal $3 suggested cover charge is kept low due to extensive fundraising by students and generous contributions from Astoria Federal Savings Bank, the Huntington Rotary Club and Huntington High School’s student government. (Contributions are gratefully accepted, but not required by those attending.)

The dance is open to any senior citizen in the community. The high school, which is located at the intersection of Oakwood and McKay Roads, is completely handicapped accessible. Interested seniors citizens are encouraged to bring a friend. Those making reservations are asked to provide their name, phone number and the number of guests in their party. 

Several dozen students are participating in the Interact-GrandsFriends club this year.  GrandFriends is an intergenerational program in which both senior citizens and teenagers develop an enriched relationship. It also serves to bridge the generation gap. Huntington High School GrandFriends accomplish this through visits to local senior citizen centers and satellite facilities.

Mrs. Biagi and retired high school librarian Camille DeCanio are co-faculty advisors of the group, which also visits nursing homes and assisted living residences. The visits include a variety of activities such as board games, baking, crafts, reading books and magazines, letter writing and just talking, listening and laughing. 

The GrandFriends host social events and perform various related community-oriented activities. The grand finale of each year is the senior, senior prom. It traditionally attracts senior citizens from across Long Island.