This was a prom that won’t be forgotten, and for some attendees, it stirred up memories from a different era.
A group of high school students from Bruce County, Ont., hosted a seniors’ prom at a long-term care facility in Southampton, Ont., inviting senior residents as their dates.
No fancy promposals here-just dancing, sharing stories, and celebrating graduation with a classic 1950s hot dog lunch and ice cream floats.
“It was such a positive experience. I think we all enjoyed talking to the seniors so much,” said Ava Cameron, a Grade 12 student at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin, Ont.
“We got to hear so many stories and just really see how much of an impact it had on them. They look forward to this day all year, so it was cool to be part of,” Cameron said.
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Grade 12 student Ava Cameron says hearing stories from her Senior Prom senior was inspiring and makes her want to live life to the fullest. (Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
When the “senior prom” began at the care home back in 2016, there were only 10 students involved. This time around, 17 teenagers participated.
“It’s good for both sides because the young people get to learn what’s happened in the past and the seniors get to experience some of the new things that are happening,” Eileen Wolfe, a chaplain at Southampton Care Centre said.
They brought back that spirit of youth again.”- Joan Irving, resident at Southampton Care Centre
For Cameron, listening to tales from her senior date was truly motivating.
“It just really made me want to live my life to the fullest and have all these memories for when I’m older to pass down to my family and younger folks I talk with,” she shared.
Joan Irving has been residing at Southampton Care Centre for two years and is now president of the residents’ council.
“I can’t speak enough about these students,” Irving stated. “When you’re quite young, your time is precious. You’ve got so many things on your plate but when they came here and mixed with us we felt young again; they brought back that spirit of youth.”
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Blake Lemont (right), a Grade 12 student at Saugeen District Senior School describes Senior Prom as a ‘super fun experience.’ (Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
Many residents have grandchildren they don’t often see especially during social events like this one, she noted.
“The world needs more people like them,” Irving emphasized.
LISTEN: Senior prom sees youth and long-term care residents come together for a party to remember
A group of grade 12 students at Saugeen District Senior School in Port Elgin took their prom into a long-term care home. Southampton Care Centre chaplain Eileen Wolfe shares how it came together along with reflections from students Blake Lamont and Ava Cameron about their experiences.
It was also an enjoyable evening for Grade 12 student Blake Lemont who mentioned he hasn’t spent much time in nursing homes before now.
“Our school has been organizing this event for quite some time now so it’s nice getting involved historically like this,” he remarked. “I actually ran into a relative while there which made it pretty nice catching up over some stories.”
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Joan Irving president of the residents’ council at Southampton Care Centre states that society needs more kind-hearted youths like those who visited their home during Senior Prom.(Submitted by Saugeen District Senior School)
Wolfe noted she’s still hearing chatter among residents about how perhaps this year’s gathering could’ve been their best yet.
“They were just thrilled being recognized for who they are,” she explained. “Sometimes you don’t realize how rich their lives have been until moments like these give students insight into that.”
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/senior-prom-long-term-care-home-1.7553814)
